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BiggerEconomist proposes to create cabinet to suggest dam site
Barrick-Pueblo Viejo
“I say this because I have the impression that they are leaving everything to Barrick, and that would be a disaster for our country.”
After warning about the socio-economic and environmental impact of the construction of a new dam to deposit the post-refining tailings of the Barrick-Pueblo Viejo company, economist Virgilio Malagón Alvarez suggested to President Luis Abinader to form a technical cabinet that could follow up on the issue and recommend the most optimal geographic location for such purposes.
In a letter sent to the head of state, and this media has a copy, Malagón Alvarez indicated that this cabinet would be made up of technicians and specialists from the government and the private sector.
“From what has been observed in the national press, there is a lack of decision on the part of the government in relation to this issue,” said the Hydrocarbons specialist from the University of Thornewood, Holland.
He pointed out that there are qualified professionals in the country to carry out the necessary studies to determine the most adequate location for a dry tailings dam.
“I say this because I get the impression that they are leaving everything to Barrick and that would be destructive for our country. This company could carry out the pertinent studies, but the national experts are the ones who will be able to discern if these are valid or not,” he said.
Just get Barrick out of the Country, they don’t care about the ecological damage. Those thieves only want the Gold!!!
Getting Barrick out of the country does not resolve anything. Who will replace them? The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know. The country needs the tax revenue and the commissions of the gold exports.
The lack of decision by the government is because of the uncertainty it has of how to satisfy Barrick without having to put the environment at risk. Barrick had helped the government at the beginning of the covid pandemic with an advance payment of taxes to assist with the fight against the disease. Government is understandingly indebted to Barrick for this advance. The question of many is how gov’t will pay back the favor without seeming to appease Barrick.