Legal Analysis of Penalties for Administrative Mining Protection in Ecuador
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Abstract
This article analyzes the mining administrative protection as a control mechanism exercised by the Ecuadorian Mining Regulation and Control Agency (ARCOM), evaluating its effectiveness in ensuring compliance with legal, environmental, and technical regulations. Through a legal-analytical approach, the study examines the supplementary application of the Organic Administrative Code (COA) in sanctioning procedures under the Mining Law, highlighting regulatory gaps that affect legality and legal certainty for the administered parties.
The research identifies that the absence of a specific mining sanctioning procedure generates ambiguities in administrative practice, fostering discretionary actions by the authority. This situation leads to violations of due process, particularly regarding deadlines, notifications, and motivation of administrative acts. Furthermore, the lack of clear criteria for sanction graduation limits proportionality and reasonableness in imposing corrective measures.
From a critical perspective, ARCOM exercises its sanctioning authority without a properly harmonized technical-procedural framework aligned with constitutional principles. This deficiency produces legal uncertainty and undermines the institutional legitimacy of state mining control. The analysis shows that the lack of transparency and uniformity in applying the COA negatively impacts the protection of concessionaires’ rights and reduces the efficiency of public administration.
The study concludes that the effectiveness of administrative protection depends on the existence of clear, objective, and proportional rules that ensure proper motivation of acts and respect for due process. It is recommended to establish a specific regulation for the mining sanctioning procedure, develop a graduated sanctions table, and strengthen ARCOM’s technical capacities. These measures would consolidate a fairer, more transparent administrative control aligned with the principles of the rule of law.
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Adriana Daniela Arce-Yanes, Universidad Técnica de Machala - Ecuador
0000-0002-8794-0817
We, Ardiana Daniela Arce Yanes and Jessica Sabina Macas Zari, are emerging researchers in the Eighth Level Law Program at the Technical University of Machala (UTMACH). My training has focused on Administrative and Public Law, with a special interest in mining regulation. This work arises from our motivation to guarantee legal certainty, focusing on the legality, legality, and proportionality analysis of sanctions imposed by Mining Administrative Amparo in Ecuador. We have developed experience in the interpretation of the Mining Law and the Organic Administrative Code (COA). Our objective with this article is to contribute to legal practice by evaluating the validity of current sanctioning procedures.
Jessica Sabina Macas-Zari, Universidad Técnica de Machala - Ecuador
0009-0006-2792-7393
We, Ardiana Daniela Arce Yanes and Jessica Sabina Macas Zari, are emerging researchers in the Eighth Level Law Program at the Technical University of Machala (UTMACH). My training has focused on Administrative and Public Law, with a special interest in mining regulation. This work arises from our motivation to guarantee legal certainty, focusing on the legality, legality, and proportionality analysis of sanctions imposed by Mining Administrative Amparo in Ecuador. We have developed experience in the interpretation of the Mining Law and the Organic Administrative Code (COA). Our objective with this article is to contribute to legal practice by evaluating the validity of current sanctioning procedures.
Guido Miguel Ramírez-López, Universidad Técnica de Machala - Ecuador
0000-0002-9801-1888
Dr. Guigo Miguel Ramírez Lope, PhD, is a professor and researcher at the Technical University of Machala, with a distinguished background in Public and Administrative Law. His academic work focuses on the legal analysis of public policies, mining regulation, and the application of the Organic Administrative Code (COA) in Ecuador. He has led and supervised several research projects aimed at strengthening legal security and ensuring the correct application of principles such as legality and proportionality in administrative procedures. His work stands out for contributing to the training of new legal professionals and the development of applicable legal knowledge in the national context.
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