Dominican doctors guild also opposes Xstrata nickel mine

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Medical Association (CMD) today joined the growing group which defends the natural resources and oppose nickel mining at Loma Miranda, in the Central Mountains.

In a press conference with the National Committee Against Mega Mining and the use of cyanide, doctors guild president Amarilis Herrera urged the people to join and actively participate in the march planned to start 10 am Sunday departing from Independencia Park to the National Palace.

Environmentalists, politicians, members of civil socity and grassroots movements form the group formed to oppose the Xstrata Falcondo mine operation.

Herrera asked the Environment Minister and the President, to not be fooled by those big business empires e, which in her view have shown little care for people’s health.

She said the CMD warns of the danger posed by the use of cyanide in the open, and that exposure to the substance may result in a person’s death in less than 10 minutes.

The guild leader said the doctors joined that struggle, because they have a social responsibility to defend the natural resources and the Dominican population’s health.