Gina Rinehart's mining arm faces fierce resistance and human-rights accusations in Ecuador

In August 2021, armed police and soldiers entered the remote township of La Merced de Buenos Aires to protect the interests of Gina Rinehart’s subsidiary Hanrine Ecuadorian Exploration and Mining. Residents, led by parish president Lucia Chicaiza, have since blocked the company's access, accusing the concession process of irregularities, lack of consultation with locals and the Awa Indigenous community, and possible breaches of Ecuadorian law.

The standoff escalated into violent clashes, with police using tear gas and force against protesters, and later illegal miners, backed by armed groups, flooding the concessions and prompting a military crackdown. Hanrine, owned by Hancock Prospecting, denies misconduct and says it complies with regulations, while NGOs such as Transparency International Australia and Global Witness argue the firm has human-rights and transparency obligations.

Legal experts note Ecuador’s mining law is vague and enforcement weak, leaving responsibility for illegal mining unclear. The dispute underscores broader concerns about oversight of foreign mining subsidiaries and the environmental and social costs of the gold-copper rush in Ecuador.