Risk Assessment of Mining Environmental Liabilities for Their Categorization and Prioritization in Gold-Mining Areas of Ecuador

Mining environmental liabilities (MEL) are of great concern because potential risks to ecosystems and human health. In this research, the risk (RI) related MEL existing in three artisanal small-scale gold-mining areas Ecuador was evaluated. For purpose, data 167 including landfills, mining galleries, tailing deposits, mineral processing plants from Macuchi, Tenguel–Ponce Enriquez, Puyango areas, were analyzed. The assessment presence waste deposits carried out based on methodology proposed by Spanish Geological Survey. Moreover, procedure outlined Environmental Risk Assessment Guide Ministry Environment Peru for nonwaste applied. highest RI values identified Enriquez. Thus, they both categorized as priority control requiring intervention rehabilitation plans. that require a high level include mine entrances associated with potentially toxic elements. point maps showed rivers studied have pollution risk. This study provides levels Ecuador. information could be used management mitigation.