Ecuador has abundant mineral reserves but has lagged behind regional neighbors such as Peru and Chile in large-scale mining development.

Both deals — if completed — would rank among the top 10 biggest takeovers of metals producers.

One of the plan's aims is also to promote decentralization.

The restrictions have increased more than five-fold in the last decade to a point where 10% of the global value of exports is subject to at least one measure, the OECD says.

Silver is a unique precious metal that derives demand from scarcity and also industrial applications. So how has it done during recessions?

The exchange has not banned Russian metals from being traded and stored in its system since Moscow invaded Ukraine.

The EU, the US and Japan have expressed reservations about a UK proposal to phase out out domestic coal power generation by 2030.