. >> [speaking spanish] >> to obtain just two grams of golold, one ton of rockcks needsds to be movevedbroken down, and sifted. the e company will u use heavy dump trucks, make big open pits, and use explosives to crash the mineral. an open pit gold mine is like a huge chemical plant where cyanide, mercury, and sulfuric acid are used to extract the mineral. these elements are mixed with the ore to separate gold from waste. the resulting waste will accumulate on mountain sides, contaminating water sources with heavy metals and chemicals harmful for human health. pressure to extract rich minerals like gold or copper from these highlands is increasing. chinese and canadian companies have succeeded to persuade the ecuadorian government to grant licenses to open up this ground, ignoring the opposition from the native population. president rafael correa is now confronting the quechua indians after he pledged to defend their interests when he was elected 7 years ago. presidedent rafael correa has been concentrating power around his government after being reelected to a third term. now correa's