Soldiers uncovered and destroyed an illegal mining operation in Ecuador.

Officials said the army carried out the crackdown in the sector of El Pablo, located in El Chical parish within the Tulcan Canton.

During the raid, military personnel seized at least 1,000 sacks of gold-bearing material, four pulleys, 15 primed capsules, 66 capsules, and 73 Explogel sticks.

Authorities also recovered 25 artisanal ANFO sticks, 10lb of commercial ANFO, 200 metres of slow-burning fuse, and 3,000 metres of rope.

Troops further confiscated 15 electric generators, two rotary hammers, 10 drills, and two chainsaws.

The force said: 'These actions are part of the operations that the Ecuadorian Army maintains within the framework of controlling illicit activities on the northern border.'