Barrick Pueblo Viejo builds new tailings dam

Santo Domingo.- Barrick Pueblo Viejo is making significant progress on the construction of a new tailings dam using a downstream design, prioritizing structural safety and environmental protection. Geologist Osiris de León emphasized that the dam’s design is based not on cost savings but on long-term stability and resilience to events such as earthquakes and hurricanes, exceeding international safety standards.

Engineer José Luis Recio explained that the new facility will store mining waste such as sand and clay, extending the mine’s operational life by at least 20 years—from the current El Llagal dam (operational until 2030) to the new structure projected to last until 2045. The dam is engineered to prevent contamination by elements like arsenic and is monitored by the Ministry of the Environment and Indrhi to ensure water quality and structural integrity.

In terms of safety, the dam is designed to withstand earthquakes with return periods up to 5,000 years, thanks to rigorous geotechnical preparation, including the removal of soft materials and replacement with compacted rock. During past natural disasters, including the 2003 Puerto Plata earthquake and hurricanes David and Georges, similar dams have remained intact.

Environmental safeguards include the use of cyanide neutralization processes such as sunlight degradation, hydrogen peroxide, chlorination, and bleach, turning cyanide into the less harmful compound cyanate. Clarified water is recycled in mining operations, and 18 environmental monitoring stations track pH, metals, and other indicators. Community and NGO representatives also participate in joint monitoring efforts to boost transparency.

Despite the project’s technical strength, misinformation continues to circulate. De León urged the government to implement notarized sampling protocols and public data sharing to counter disinformation and build community trust. He stressed the importance of minerals like gold and lithium in modern technology and the need for responsible mining backed by science and public awareness.