During the early 1990s, areas of the reserve and its buffer zone were included in a mineral surveying program called PRODEMINCA which was partially funded by the World Bank and aimed to support the development of extractive industries in Ecuador. This program has resulted in protests from communities living in the surveyed areas who are concerned that the publication of maps of mineral deposits will attract independent miners to the area.
In the early 1990s, areas within the reserve and buffer zone were part of a mineral exploration program called PRODEMINCA, funded in part by the World Bank. This initiative aimed to foster extractive industries in Ecuador. However, local communities have voiced concerns that the publication of maps showing mineral deposits could draw independent miners into the area.