The film is based on a mining conflict currently taking place in Junín Ecuador. The mining project, if developed by Ascendant Copper, would destroy Junín, cause massive deforestation, climate change, poison water supplies, threaten rare and endangered species and would forcibly relocate hundreds of families.
When Clouds Clear is an urgent and gripping documentary about the devastating effects of international mining projects in small towns. The story is narrated by the people in the town and tells of its founding, its rich history and the on-going mining resistance. The people have taken a radical approach, often forced to take extreme action to keep Ascendant from establishing a mine. Ascendant has violated legal and constitutional regulations. They have directly attacked the community, threatening the community and its leaders on numerous occasions. Recently asked by the ecuadorean government to suspend all mining activity, Ascendant has not yet been told to leave these lands. When Clouds Clear uncovers the devastating conflicts and divisions that have come between the communities, especially between families. Though the Company has been unsuccessful in developing a physical copper mine, the effects of Ascendant Copper will linger in the community for generations to come.