On 11 March 2020, COVID-19, which started in Wuhan (China), was declared a pandemic. Since then, casualties have been increasing and have not ceased. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the Ecuadorian mining industry and to identify the capacities and weaknesses caused by the sanitary crisis. For this purpose, the study was structured in four stages: (a) bibliographic review of organizations at the international level; (b) collection of local data (surveys and interviews); (c) multi-criteria analysis, and (d) selection of social and economic indicators that can be replicated in Ecuador’s mining sector. International data indicated notable progress in the social, health, and safety areas but less in the labor-economic aspect. Surveys and interviews showed the different impacts of COVID-19 in Ecuador’s mining sector, and multi-criteria analysis along with social and economic indicators served as a reference for recommendations to improve the weaknesses detected and reinforcing the strengths of the sector. The Ecuadorian scenario is different from the one abroad; companies presented more social and economic information and less about health and safety than international companies.

The objective of the study was to evaluate soil quality in population centers near gold mining areas. The concentration of heavy metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn) was analyzed in soil samples collected in public areas, yards, gardens, and cultivation areas. As a result, it was identified that the concentration of Ni and Cr exceeded the maximum permissible limit (MPL) established in the Unified Text of Secondary Environmental Legislation of Ecuador (TULSMA) in 100 % of the samples analyzed, while the concentration of Cu and Zn was higher than the MPL in 90 % of the sites sampled. Cd exceeded the MPL in 64 % of the samples, and As and Pb exceeded the MPL in 26 % and 21 % of the samples, respectively. Cd, As and Pb are elements of special concern due to their high toxicity and significant presence in the study area. Regarding pH analysis, values between 3.31 and 8.21 were obtained, indicating acidic conditions in 60 % of the soil samples, possibly as a result of anthropogenic activity in the area. Strong positive correlations were detected between As-Cd, Cr-Ni, Cu-Ni, and moderate correlations between Cr-Cu and Pb-Zn, which is related to the mineralization of the area. Cluster analysis indicated that cluster C1, characterized by a high content of potentially toxic elements, is mostly located south of the study area. These preliminary results can serve as a baseline for future research in the area, highlighting the importance of soil quality assessment in mining areas.

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is an important contributor to global human emissions of Hg. This study assesses the probabilistic human health risk for two receptors groups (residents and workers) of Portovelo mining area through exposure to Mercury (Hg) in the air at two sites: (a) the central urban area; and (b) El Pache sector. A preliminary risk assessment was performed using Hg concentrations from previous studies. The human health risk in the workplace scenario showed unacceptable levels of non-carcinogenic risk in rainy and dry seasons. Hazard Quotient (HQ) showed that 75% of the workers receptors were exposed to harmful effects on the nervous, digestive, respiratory, and immune systems. Regarding the residential scenario, no human health risk is presented. The study provides information on the levels of risk to the health of the inhabitants living in mining communities to improve public management strategies to minimize risks. La minería del oro artesanal y a pequeña escala contribuye de forma importante a las emisiones globales de Hg. El presente estudio evalúa el riesgo probabilístico para la salud humana de dos grupos de receptores (residentes y trabajadores) de la zona minera de Portovelo por exposición al mercurio (Hg) en el aire en dos sectores: (a) la zona urbana central; y (b) el sector de El Pache. Se realizó una evaluación preliminar del riesgo utilizando concentraciones de Hg de estudios anteriores. El riesgo para la salud humana en los lugares de trabajo mostró niveles inaceptables de riesgo no cancerígeno en las estaciones lluviosa y seca. El cociente de peligrosidad (HQ) mostró que el 75% de los trabajadores receptores estaban expuestos a efectos nocivos en el sistema nervioso, digestivo, respiratorio e inmunitario. En el escenario residencial, no se presenta ningún riesgo para la salud humana. El estudio proporciona información sobre los niveles de riesgo para la salud de los habitantes de las comunidades mineras con la finalidad de mejorar las estrategias de gestión pública para minimizar los riesgos.

This study evaluated work absenteeism and biological indicators among drivers at a manufacturing company in Ecuador between 2019 and 2023. The objective was to identify patterns of absenteeism and associated physiological conditions to improve occupational health surveillance. A quantitative analysis of medical reports, days of absence, and clinical parameters such as triglycerides, glucose, and liver enzymes was performed, segmented by position and sector. The results showed an increase in days of absenteeism starting in 2020, as well as a prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions and metabolic disorders in specific groups such as forklift operators and drivers. The information obtained allowed risk profiles to be identified and highlighted the need for differentiated interventions according to job position. It was concluded that the integrated analysis of absenteeism and clinical indicators is key to strengthening prevention and health management in industrial environments.