Government’s release of Barrick Gold bars could signal progress in talks

Santo Domingo.- The release Wednesday of 12 of doré (gold-silver)bars retained by Customs at Las Americas Airport since May 1 could signal a breakthroughin the heated talks between Barrick Gold executives and government officialsover a contract revision.

The Dominicangovernment reportedly authorized the Customs Agency to let the Canadian miner shipthe bars, slated for 4:30pm to Miami, and then Canada.

As aprecaution the cargo had been stored in warehouse 7 but moved to number 3 today, fromwhere the 28 others have been shipped.

The report comesjust hours after Customs director Fernando Fernandez met with president DaniloMedina in the National Palace for around one hour.