Protests spread against Xstrata’s planned mine in Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- Civil society organizations on Friday staged a protest to demand the creation of Loma Miranda National Park, and the firing of Mining Agency director Alexander Medina.

The protesters marched from Independencia Park to the National Palace, where they handed a document addressed to president Danilo Medina, which also demands a repeal of the hike in tolls and amend the hydrocarbon law because in their view, the constant increases jeopardize the population.

"Loma Miranda not negotiable, Loma Miranda National Park," the protesters chanted to the beat of drums and many of disguised as Carnaval characters, to also demand that Medina state his position on the dispute.

The protesters linked to leftist and community organizations vowed to continue the mobilizations until Congress declares Loma Miranda a national park. Other groups held protests at La Vega and San Francisco de Macorís Friday to reject Xstrata Nickel Falcondo’s planned mine.

The Senate debates a bill that aims to create Loma Miranda National Park, which has already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies.