After gold scam Dominican Customs shortens leash on bauxite exports

Pedernales, Dominican Republic.- Customs director Fernando Fernandez on Friday said the agency inspects the bauxite shipped from the port town Cabo Rojo, after the experience with the Canadian miner Barrick Gold Corp, whose exports of doré were retained several times at Las Americans Airport on irregularities.

The official, who upon arriving at Cabo Rojo was received by executives of the Dominican-Venezuelan company DOVENCO, said Customs is complying with president Danilo Medina’s instructions.

When pressed on whether Customs had fined the bauxite miner RD$731 million on tax irregularities, Fernandez declined comment claiming the case is still under investigation. "There’s nothing super special with this, it’s the work of Customs every day."

Nonetheless Pedernales resident Juan Carlos Acosta told outlet hoy.com.do that although the bauxite mined from the hills around Las Mercedes has several components, it’s exported only as alumina.

He said based on the experience with Barrick Gold, Customs should look into his complaint since bauxite is mineral, which in his view should be subjected to a more thorough inspection, as all exports should be.