Hundreds of people from different municipalities in the province of Monte Plata marched yesterday, Saturday, in rejection of a tail dam which allegedly intends to build the Canadian mining company Barrick Gold, which would affect the Ozama River and other aquifer sources of the demarcation.
The massive march called: “Great Penitential Walk United for the Protection of the Ozama River and Natural Resources”was coordinated by the Catholic Church, where dozens of social organizations from the province of Monte Plata participated.
The demonstration traveled from the Nuestra Señora de La Altagracia de Peralvillo parish to the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús parish of the La Cuaba de Yamasá community.
The protesters assured that the Barrick Gold tail dam would contaminate the Ozama River and other water sources in the province, for which they asserted that they are willing to lose their lives for the protection of their natural resources.
During a stop at the Ozama River, the demonstrators held a prayer where They asked God to enlighten the leaders and representatives of the Dominican State (Executive Power, mayors, senator, deputies) so that they do not allow a mining expansion in the province.
In this sense, Deacon Rafael Díaz thanked God for demonstrating during the walk and making a presence through the rains that occur when a demonstration is called in favor of the natural resources of the demarcation.
The priest stated that God will illuminate the hearts of the representatives of the Government and of the men who have the decision in their hands so that a tailings dam is not built on the banks of the Ozama River.
They affirmed that Barrick Gold does not have a mining concession or expansion permit to carry out studies required for the construction of a reservoir for contaminated water from gold extraction in Cotuí, for which they assured that these claims are rejected.
