This is one of the conclusions from a global inquiry launched after the collapse of a dam in Brazil that killed hundreds.

Exponential expansion of global mining is the dirty little secret and glaring blind spot of Green New Deal evangelists and zero-carbon climate warriors

The miner, a unit of Grupo Mexico, has sought to build the mine for nearly a decade, but opposition from locals fearing pollution and loss of water supply has thwarted the effort.

The miner says improvements in copper and gold recoveries at its Alpala deposit in Ecuador could add $8.7bn of revenue over the planned mine life.

He has vowed to revisit the country’s controversial glacier protection law, and said his team is working on clear rules for the natural resources sector.