Scientific Mapping of Mining Expansion in Ecuador: A PRISMA Systematic Review of Territorial Change and Biosanitary Implications in Latin America

This study examines the evolution of the scientific literature on mining and heavy metals, with a particular focus on biosanitary risks associated with childhood exposure. The research integrates a systematic literature review following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology, combined with a bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed publications, international epidemiological data, and an evaluation of the socio-environmental context in Ecuadorian mining regions. The PRISMA-based screening process was applied to identify, filter, and select relevant peer-reviewed studies, enabling the delimitation of a focused corpus of literature, with particular attention given to scientific contributions produced by Latin American researchers and institutions. The results reveal a significant concentration of knowledge production among a limited number of countries and institutions, the dominance of English as the main language of scientific communication, and the centrality of journals in environmental sciences and toxicology. While notable progress has been made in identifying contaminants and exposure pathways, governance structures, territorial disparities, and policy implementation processes remain insufficiently explored. In Ecuador, the rapid growth of mining concessions in ecologically sensitive zones presents potential threats to children’s neurocognitive development, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing surveillance, biomonitoring programs, and preventive public health measures. The study emphasizes the importance of strengthening regional research capacity and fostering more equitable international scientific collaborations to ensure that knowledge production is responsive to local contexts and effectively safeguards vulnerable populations.