Wahington D.C. February 22, 2008 -- Ecuador Mining News announced today that Writer-Editor Silvia Santacruz is in her home country of Ecuador conducting an independent fact-finding and pro-mining advocacy mission. For two weeks she will tentatively be in Guayas, Manabi, Azuay, and Pichincha provinces, visiting select projects, meeting stakeholders, reporting on investor concerns, and championing the cause of large-scale mining in Ecuador.

The visit will occur between Friday, February 22nd and Thursday, March 5th and will conclude with one or more pro-mining events. The visit is being conducted with no preference given to any particular firm. Rather, it is being performed on behalf of international investors and has an industry-wide focus.

“I’m very pleased to take EMN on the road to advance investors’ concerns and help bring large-scale mining to Ecuador. Large-scale mining is among the most viable means of replacing the country’s dwindling oil revenue, reducing unemployment, and fighting poverty in Ecuador,” said Ms. Santacruz.

All events are by-invitation-only. For information on EMN events in Ecuador or the substance of the visit, please contact editor@ecuadorminingnews.com To sponsor EMN’s pro-mining visit, please click here for EMN sponsorships or contact sponsorship@ecuadorminingnews.com