Residents protest against Dundee Precious Metals' Loma Larga mining project and demand the protection of local waters in Cuenca, Ecuador, on Tuesday.

Tens of thousands of residents and local leaders in Ecuador’s central Azuay province took to the streets on Tuesday to demand the suspension of a mining project by Toronto-based Dundee Precious Metals DPM-T , which they say will affect a vital water reserve.

The government of President Daniel Noboa had granted Dundee an environmental licence to start building the Loma Larga gold mine there, but as community pressure mounted, the country’s Energy Minister in August suspended the start of construction work until Dundee provides an environmental management plan.

Provincial authorities reject the project, saying it will affect the region’s

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