Dominican Republic denies Xstrata Nickel mine

Santo Domingo.- The government of the Dominican Republic on Monday cited "economic and environmental conditions and mining technologies” to deny Xstrata Nickel Falcondo the permit to mine Loma Miranda, just two weeks after the UN Program for Development released a study contrary to the miner’s project.

Environment minister Bautista Rojas said the decision seeks to avert harming the integrity of the area’s natural resources, especially water.

Reading a document in a press conference, the official said the environmental impact study submitted by Xstrata Nickel doesn’t "analyze the possible water pollution from chrome in detail", or doesn’t "clearly state" Loma Miranda’s ecological and hydrogeological characteristics.

Moreover Rojas said that the mining company didn’t “properly focus on the economic and environmental conditions and mining technologies ensure sustainable exploitation and the project’s social impact."