Well, some of the early signs are positive for Rafael Correa's government, and the country's mining sector.
Cordova (pictured above) was well received at the recent Mines and Money conference in Toronto, Canada, where he gave a polished talk on Ecuador's mining investment ambitions and plans to develop the industry.
Mining majors such as BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Newcrest Mining have shown increasing interest in the country, and juniors such as SolGold and INV Metals have bounced on strong exploration results.
"There is little doubt in our mind that Ecuador could emerge as a mining superpower," Toronto's Dundee Capital Markets said post-Mines and Money Americas.
"The geology is ideal [and] the prospects are world-class, but the country has earned the distinction of being a risky jurisdiction for investors.
"Minister Cordova is on a mission to change that and armed with new tax and fiscal incentives and a supportive government, we see good reason to be optimistic.
"Over the past eight years Ecuador has matured and has set a course to unlock the value from the giant mineral deposits that lie in wait. We think it's time investors reconsider Ecuador's investment options in the mining industry."
Minister Cordova told Mining Journal Latin America editor Paul Harris at the Toronto event that the "gap between investor perception and the reality on the ground" in Ecuador, vis-à-vis the country's investment credentials, was large, and "we aim to demonstrate that we are seriously committed to developing this strategic sector".
In an exclusive webinar presentation by Mining Journal on November 29, the minister will answer further questions from Paul Harris on the policy and investment outlook for mining in Ecuador; what's in the country's development pipeline; new incentives for explorers and developers; infrastructure and services; and fiscal initiatives.
Don't miss this opportunity to get the latest insights into Ecuador's mining investment future.
