José Sena, Fernando González, Julio Espaillat, Stive Code.
Santo Domingo.- Goldquest Dominicana president Julio Espaillat said the planned mine in San Juan de la Maguana province (south) wontt harm the surrounding vegetation because it’s 150 meters below the surface.
He said it will have zero impact on San Juan River, because there will be no discharges and its waters won’t be manipulated.
Espaillat said chemicals that could harm the environment won’t be used, and the ore will be separated by environment-friendly grinding and flotation. “The company has invested in this project around 25 million dollars since 2004 and that at the beginning of the exploitation of mineral reserves the total investment will be about 160 million dollars.
File.- The head of the Roundtable of Commonwealth Countries in the Dominican Republic on Thurs. said the mining companies which operate in the national territory do so responsibly, because they are regulated both in their base country and in others as well.
Fernando González admitted however that in the past mining companies operating in the country weren’t responsible, so he called on society to be vigilant so the situation isn’t repeated. “The current mines are responsible and the Energy and Mines Ministry is aware that the deposits are properly exploited.”
He cited Barrick Pueblo Viejo as a miner which he affirms is overseen by other nations and is having a positive impact on the country and on its around 65,000 Dominicans workers.
Nonetheless the business leader attributed the constant complaints by the inhabitants near the Barrick mine to a “lack of knowledge.”
González spoke after taking part in a conference hosted by the also miner, GoldQuest Dominicana.
Source: listin.com.do