A History of Resistance in the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest: 
A Chronology of Events

2006

May

- Friends of the Earth launches its ‘No Means No’ to Ascendant Copper in Ecuador Campaign, along with ‘The Curse of Copper’ DVD.
- Friends of the Earth and Mining Watch Canada issue a press release (campaign page) exposing irregularities in ACXs operations in Junin.
- ACX holds its AGM in Vancouver

April

 – Local government officials and DECOIN meet with Minister of Energy and Mines to discuss irregularities in ACXs activities in Junin. Minister confirms that the ToR for the EIS has not yet been approved.
To read the letter written to the Minister of Energy and Mines recounting the contents of the meeting click here, (French), (Spanish)

March

- Employees of ACX are detained by local community.

- ACX announces that it has filed its annual financial statements and sets May 4th as the date for its AGM.
- The Mayor of Cotacachi receives an official correspondence from the Minister of the Environment stating that the Ministry of Energy and Mines failure to eliciting community input prior to granting the Golden 1 and Golden 2 mining concessions constitutes legal cause to nullify Ascendants mining concessions.

February

- ACC issues a press release announcing that it has held the “first in a continuing series of critical community meetings... in local areas immediately surrounding Junin... to present the preliminary results of the Environmental Impact Study and the Company’s plans for the Phase 1 drilling project” (ACX press release issued Feb.14, 2006) *Note that the ToR for the EIS have not yet been approved.
- CODEGAM officially breaks all relations with Ascendant Copper Corporation.

January

- Without approved Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Environmental Impact Study (EIS), ACX announces the completion of its Environmental Impact Study for the Junin project. To view the ACX press release click here. 
- DECOIN, Friends of the Earth and Mining Watch Canada withdraw their complaint against ACX with the National Contact Point for OECD Guidelines, citing how the NCP process failed to adequately address the expressed concerns. To view the Press Release click here.

2005

December

- Community members [70 people according to ACX reports and 300 people representing 20 different communities, according to Ecuador’s El Comercio newspaper] burn a building owned by ACX in opposition to the Junin project. To read a report submitted by international observers about this incident click here. 
 - Friends of the Earth and Mining Watch Canada send a letter to then Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Pierre Pettigrew, regarding community protest to ACX activities and the company’s role in increasing local tensions and inciting violence.

November

– ACX announces the successful completion of its Initial Public Offering which raised $10,893,800. ACX begins trading on the TSX.

October

– ACX releases its final Prospectus

September

- DECOIN submits a letter to the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) with its reaction to ACXs modified Prospectus

August

 - ACX issues its draft Prospectus to raise money on the TSX for the company’s exploration work.

June

- ACX brings inhabitants of Cerro Pelado, Barcelona and La Libertad to Quito to meet with their officials (in the Prospectus ACX claims 100 participants but DECOIN disputes this number – says a maximum of 20)

May

- Friends of the Earth and Mining Watch Canada bring representatives of DECOIN to Canada in order to deliver the official OECD complaint as well as meet with representatives from the TSX , British Columbia Securities Commission and Ontario Securities Exchange. They also met with the head of the Human Rights Commission to request an investigation into Ascendants activities in the Intag.
- Friends of the Earth, Mining Watch Canada and DECOIN file a formal complaint against Ascendant Copper Corporation (ACX) with the Canada National Contact Point for OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

April

- Community Petition “With one single voice: No to mining” 
is circulated throughout Cotacachi and gets over 1,100 signatures.
- El Diario del Norte reports ACX call for government investigation of DECOIN, alleging they’ve been misuse of funds and making false statements that effect the reputation of Ecuador. A group of Cotacachi community leaders and anti-mining activists are forcibly confined to a municipal building by a pro-mining crowd who were eventually restrained by national police.
- A letter is sent to Ascendant Holdings by HellerErmanLLB on behalf of DECOIN documenting unethical and illegal behaviour of ACC in Junin

March

- A letter is sent by four Intag community Presidents to Ascendant Holdings stating that the people they represent are categorically opposed to the mining development
- A Declaration is prepared by eight local community Presidents opposing the Junin mining development and clearly saying that CODEGAM does not represent their community.
- The Mayor of Cotacachi submits a letter of complaint to the TSX with regards to Ascendant Copper’s operations.

2004

 May – Ascendant Copper Corporation is registered as a Canadian company in British Columbia
 July 1 - Roque Bustamante signs a contract transferring 100% of mining concessions Golden 1 and Golden 2 to Ascendant SA (a wholly owned subsidiary of Ascendant Holdings Ltd.)
 July 17 – Ascendant Copper Corporation (ACX) signs an agreement with CODEGAM (Council for the Development of the Parish of Garcia Moreno)
 Oct. 13 - Ascendant SA (Ascendant Holding Ltd.) transfers all rights for exploration in Golden 1 and Golden 2 concessions to Ascendant Copper Corporation (ACX) who maintain the contractual obligation to the Minister of Energy and Mines
 Dec. 17 – ACX, with the support of CODEGAM, alleges that 27 community Presidents of 33 total communities in the Parish of Garcia Moreno signed or are in favour of giving access to the company.  For more information click here. 

2002

 The Ecuadorian government secretly auctions off concessions Golden 1 and Golden 2 to Roque Bustante, a private dealer in mining concessions, who purchases the right to mine 7000 hectares (49 sq.km) for 30 years, for $18,005. The communities of Cotacachi County insist that these concessions were granted without a community consultation, a process which is mandated by the Ecuadorian Constitution.

1997-2002

 Despite the lack of an immediate threat, the community remains organized to oppose mining activities in their county. DECOIN is key in raising public awareness, and also in creating and/or supporting alternatives to mining.
 Ecuador introduces a new mining law in 2000.
 The Río Intag Agroartesanal Coffee Growers Association (AACRI), women’s craft groups and community tourism projects are developed.
 In 2001 the County Board passed an ordinance declaring Cotacachi an “ecological county” where mining and other activities incompatible with the conservation of natural resources are forbidden.

1997

 Defensa y Conservación Ecológica de Intag (DECOIN) is founded by the community in response to increased concern about BishiMetals activities in the region
 Local opposition to the mining project results in the burning of Bishimetal’s mining camp on May 15, 1997. Hundreds of local residents from seven communities participate in the protest.
 Under fierce community pressure, BishiMetals pulls out of Junin, Ecuador. For more information about the history of resistance to mining in the Intag, click here.

1996

 BishiMetals Environmental Impact Study acknowledges that there are several archaeological ruins along the Intag River associated with the Imbara civilization which existed between 1500 BC and 500 AD

early 1990s

 Japanese mining company Misubishi purchases rights to Golden 1 and Golden 2 mining concessions, located around Junin, in Cotacachi County, Ecuador.
 Concession rights are transferred to BishiMetals

1977

 Junin mineral deposits are first discovered in the Intag region of Ecuador

1968

 Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve is established as one of the only intact remnants of the western Ecuadorian forest. For more information on the Ecology of the Intag click here.