MINERAL RESOURCES
Oil and natural gas are the main mineral resources. Large-scale oil production began in 1972 from fields in the northwstern corner of the eastern lowlands (Lago Agrio). The oil is carried through a pipline that crosses the Andes to the Pacific port of Esmeraldas, where a refinery operates. Production rose from 191,000 tons in 1970 to 9 million tons in 1976, and to 15.8 million tons in 1988 (an average of 309,000 barrels per day).
Production of natural gas totaled 608 million cubic meters in 1986. Small quatities of gold, silver, copper and zinc are produced. The country is known to have deposits of uranium, iron ore, lead, and coal.
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