Mining row reveals Dominican leader’s lack of resolve

Santo Domingo.- The months-long row over the planned mine at Loma Miranda has again revealed president Danilo Medina’s lack of resolve on pressing national issues, and his keeping mum om the topic has led to contradictions among key officials linked to the controversy.

While Energy and Mines minister Peligrin Castillo on Monday called on the authorities to avert hasty decisions on mining at Loma Miranda to protect the country’s investment climate, Environment minister Bautista Rojas says the Government steadfastly opposes Glencore Falcondo’s planned mine.

Castillo, referring to the growing demand to create Loma Miranda National Park, said other stakeholders should be heard. “Countries must work to place mining at the service development.”

For his part, mining Dept. director Alexander Medina said he also supports the exploitation of Loma Miranda.

Steadfast

But Rojas affirms that the Government had “clearly” state its position more than one year ago, after receiving a study by the UN Program for Development, which said there are no conditions to exploit the area of the Central Mountains.

“Those conditions have not changed thus far, so the stance of the authorities remains unchanged,” the official said, adding that he doubts that those conditions would vary.