Actos habilitantes previos a concesiones mineras en Ecuador: control ex ante y reforma sectorial
Enabling administrative acts prior to mining concessions in Ecuador: ex-ante control and sectoral reformBarra lateral del artículo
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La actividad minera en Ecuador exige actos habilitantes previos que condicionan la validez jurídica de las concesiones, aunque la densidad protectora de ese control ex ante ha sido objeto de controversia normativa reciente. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar los actos habilitantes previos a las concesiones mineras en Ecuador, comparando el modelo de la Ley de Minería de 2009 con la reforma sectorial de 2026 para identificar cambios sustantivos en el control preventivo. Se empleó un diseño documental con análisis jurídico-comparado de normas, jurisprudencia constitucional y doctrina administrativista, aplicando criterios sistemáticos de inclusión y exclusión de fuentes. La reforma de 2026 reemplaza la licencia ambiental por una autorización ambiental administrativa de alcance más amplio, mantiene formalmente el control ex ante pero reduce su densidad protectora, y omite criterios interpretativos que garanticen una evaluación sustantiva de los derechos de la naturaleza. En conclusión se proponen cinco criterios interpretativos para fortalecer el control previo y evitar la desintensificación regulatoria en el sector minero ecuatoriano.
Mining activity in Ecuador requires prior enabling administrative acts that condition the legal validity of concessions, although the protective density of this ex-ante control has been the subject of recent regulatory controversy. The objective of this study was to analyze the enabling acts prior to mining concessions in Ecuador, comparing the 2009 Mining Law model with the 2026 sectoral reform to identify substantive changes in preventive oversight. A documentary design was employed, utilizing a legal-comparative analysis of statutes, constitutional case law, and administrative law doctrine, while applying systematic criteria for the inclusion and exclusion of sources. The 2026 reform replaces the environmental license with an administrative environmental authorization of broader scope; it formally maintains ex-ante control but reduces its protective density and omits interpretive criteria that would guarantee a substantive evaluation of the rights of nature. In conclusion, five interpretive criteria are proposed to strengthen prior control and prevent regulatory de-intensification in the Ecuadorian mining sector.
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