Santo Domingo.- Given the concerns expressed by peasants and environmentalists On the impact of the construction of a new tail dam by Barrick Pueblo Viejothe Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel SantosHe said that the Government will not support any project that represents a risk to the environment or the health of nearby communities.
Santos stressed that technologies applied to mining have advanced considerably, which has allowed the implementation of more sustainable and respectful methods with the environment.
“Technology is a great ally in the processes that can make mining more environmentally friendly,” said the official, who also stressed the importance of supervision of environmental authorities in these projects.
In this sense, the Ministry of Energy and Mines indicated that it has been directly involved in the negotiations on the relocation of the communities affected by the project, guaranteeing that residents receive a “fair and dignified” settlement, in accordance with the principles of sustainability.
Process requires specialized studies
Miguel Ángel Díaz, Deputy Minister of Mines, Ministry of Energy and Mines, He explained that the process of building a tail dam is complex, so specialized studies have been carried out by an international group of experts.
“These studies consider various factors, such as economic, technical and environmental aspects, and a ranking of the best options available for the location of dams is carried out,” said Díaz ..
Currently, the country has four metal dams in operation, of which none has registered incidents, according to days.
«These are the Las Rosas dam, the Laguna dam, the Yagar dam and the Jormidon dam, located in Maimon. “These dams are monitored by experts, which guarantees their safety,” said the official.
He added that, of the four, two continue to operate, while the other two have been successfully closed, as part of a mining optimization process in the country.
Future mining in RD
Minister Joel Santos said that, although some mining processes come to an end, “it is essential that mining in the Dominican Republic continues to have a future,” always within a framework of respect for the environment. He also stressed that the government is committed to promoting sustainable mining.
Santos also referred to the negative impact that Falconbridge has had in the province of Monsignor Nouel, a region that said- has experienced a remarkable level of human development and that has the greatest wooded coverage in the country.
“Monsignor Nouel is one of the provinces with less dependence on government social programs, but this is at risk, and therefore, the government is working intensely to find a solution for Falconbridge,” he concluded.
The minister did not rule out the possibility that new partners are integrated into mining operations as part of the solutions proposed for the future of the industry.
