This study offers a detailed assessment of the geosites and mining sites present in the ZarumaPortovelo mining district (Ecuador) through their qualitative and quantitative assessment. It shows up the potentiality of this area taking advantage of its geological-mining heritage. The methodological process includes: (i) compilation and inventory of all the sites within the study area with particular geological or mining interest; (ii) preparation of reports and thematic cartography, (iii) assessment and classification of the elements of geological-mining interest; (iv) SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis and TOWS (Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses, Strengths) matrix preparation seeking strategies to guarantee the viability of geotourism. A total of 16 sites of geological interest and 11 of mining interest were identified. The 77% of these sites was proved to be of high and very high interest in scientific terms. Likewise, their susceptibility to degradation assessed from their vulnerability and fragility was found to be high or very high in the 30% of the cases. As for the protection priority, all the studied sites obtained a medium-high result. Finally, the study based on the SWOT-TOWS revealed the possibility of applying action strategies in order to facilitate the compatibility of geotourism with the current productive activities, despite the difficult situation in the study area created by mining activities.

In land application, soil is used as a natural filter to remove pollution from urban wastewater. The soil also has two other functions, first of all it's the receiving medium of wastewater and secondly it works as an active agent because physical, chemical and biological reactions are made in the soil-water-crops ecosystem. This non-conventional treatment is effective at removing pollutants such as suspended solids, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and microorganism form effluent streams. The aim of this study is to design a pilot plant using soil as a natural filter for the treatment of wastewater discharge from oxidation ponds located in the Montañita commune through selecting and evaluating the site, calculating the design hydraulic load and the area necessary for system application. To take samples at different depths, a lysimeter was constructed that allowed to take samples at 30, 60 and 90 cm of depth. The variables that were measured in the treated water were total coliforms and BOD5. These variables were related to the values calculated for the discharge of the oxidation ponds and the percentage of removal for each sample taken. As a result, high removal percentages were obtained at 90 cm depth with respect to the level of application of the residual water. Percentages of up to 79% for total coliforms and 80% for BOD5 were obtained. These results are consistent with the limits established in the UTSLME (Unified Text of the Secondary Legislation of the Ministry of Environment). Finally, it could be concluded that soil in the area where the land application pilot plant was developed is suitable for efficient removal of the contaminants present in the discharge of oxidation ponds. This system contributed to the reduction of the pollution generated; in addition, the treatment of wastewater helps reforestation of this arid zone.

the enhancement of heritage resources helps to promote conservation, contributes to more significant and better protection, and favors the efficient use of these resources. Many heritage works and liabilities linked to mining activity are abandoned, causing the deterioration of heritage resources that may become environmental liabilities over time. this work aims to develop strategies for the development of the Mining-industrial heritages through participatory methods for geomining enhancement and development of places in the Zaruma-Portovelo area. the proposed methodology consists of: (i) the creation and development of a database with several publications and documents that register the Mining-industrial heritage sites; (ii) the assessment of mining-industrial sites based on criteria or methodologies proposed by other authors; (iii) focal group work considering: (a) the identification and cataloging geosites of interest, (b) the creation and/or development of museums, tourist mines, mineral routes or geoparks in which the natural and geological-mining factors complement each other and (iv) SWot analysis and matrix which provides several strategies for value-making of geomining heritage and its promotion in the development of geotourism in a project proposal for Zaruma and its surroundings. in conclusion, this work includes twelve unified mining sites in the Proposal for geopark 'ruta del oro,' as a strategy to guarantee the conservation of heritage values and contribute to local development and geotourism.

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In Guayaquil, Ecuador, the general patrimonial cemetery, having inherited a space from a quarry of 1970, has a rock fall detachment problem, which endangers the visitors, the tombs with their respective sacred-respect and the recognized heritage values (thanks to its distinction of "Nation Cultural Heritage"). Geomechanical studies were performed to diagnose the current state of the vertical slope of almost 45 m in height, located at Gate # 1, and establish ways to solve this problem. The aim of this article focuses on designing the stabilization solutions for this steep slope by technical considerations studies, or the proposal of measures and their conditioning, so that provide the necessary assurances within the cemetery. The methodology considers: i) Analysis of the results of the studies carried out on the slope, ii) Design calculations according to slope safety, iii) Design and safety considerations. It was determined that the weight of the blocks, which could be detached, can be on average of 7.54 Ton. In this case it is proposed to design a network of injected bolts with 25 mm in diameter and 3 m length, with different angles of inclination, which should be specified in each case, which generates a stabilizing force of at least 15 Ton, with a safety factor of 1.74, considering hydrostatic thrust and seismic accelerations. To achieve a front that supports the loads, in addition to the bolts, we designed a 10 cm thick shotcrete layer. Drainage pipes of 0.5 m long have been designed to control the water flow, which would accumulate behind the concrete wall. Other actions must also be implemented, such as removing gabion bodies that have been built at the top of the slope.

Mining as an industrial activity requires a comprehensive study of all its implications to develop it in a sustainable environment, not only the environmental section but a network with industrial safety, risk studies, aquifer protection and even the development of cities. Informal mining activity occurring in Zaruma city, Ecuador Cultural Heritage, it has generated affectations in the rock mass located below the village, subjecting people and infrastructure to constant risks. The aim of the present project is to evaluate the stability of the massif by the geomechanical characterization and valuation of the existing stability conditions, which allow the delineation of prevention and control strategies according to the security of the citizens. The methodology for this work is performed through i) Configuration of the stability problem in the urban center of Zaruma, ii) Geomechanical characterization based on the physical and mechanical properties of the rocks such as the degree of fracturing, Rock Quality Designation (RQD), Index Geology of Resistance (GSI) and degree of deterioration of the massif, iii) Analysis of the main effects of the massif considering natural aspects and mining works, iv) Evaluation of stability conditions using the RMR of Bieniawski and Laubscher criteria in their classification ( MRMR), with the establishment of prevention and control measures. From the analysis performed, it can be affirmed that the rock mass of the study sector presents MRMR values were between 26 and 64 corresponding to a fair-poor classification of the massif, representing potential instability conditions, considering also the occurrence of possible affectations that worsen with the passing of time, which makes it possible to recommend lines of control and prevention that must be applied urgently