NewsWhore
03-10-2010, 02:40 PM
Months after it was fast-tracked in Congress, Environment Minister Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal now suggests the government revise the contract with Barrick Gold (Pueblo Viejo Dominicana Corporation) for exploiting gold deposits in Sanchez Ramirez province.
Fernandez Mirabal agreed with those who argue that Barrick Gold should assume more of the responsibility for the environmental clean up, than the Placer Dome-revised contract now stipulates. Fernandez says that "he who eats the meat must also eat the bones."
Community leaders have been demanding a revision on grounds that the operation of the mining company will not bring the expected relief to the environmental contamination in the province.
Fernandez said that Barrick Gold has yet to start its operations and isn't polluting the environment in the northeastern province. He said the contamination stems from the open pits that remain from the previous Rosario Dominicana Pueblo Viejo mining operations, when this was operated by the Dominican government itself.
The mining company published paid advertisements in the press today saying that the contract with the Dominican state was discussed by both parties for 22 months and endorsed by the Central Bank, the Ministry of Industry & Commerce and Rosario Dominicana and almost unanimously approved by the National Congress. The company argues that once the US$3 billion investment is recovered and there is a 10% yield, the Dominican government will receive a participation of 28.75% of the net profit in addition to a 3.2% bonus and 25% income tax.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
Fernandez Mirabal agreed with those who argue that Barrick Gold should assume more of the responsibility for the environmental clean up, than the Placer Dome-revised contract now stipulates. Fernandez says that "he who eats the meat must also eat the bones."
Community leaders have been demanding a revision on grounds that the operation of the mining company will not bring the expected relief to the environmental contamination in the province.
Fernandez said that Barrick Gold has yet to start its operations and isn't polluting the environment in the northeastern province. He said the contamination stems from the open pits that remain from the previous Rosario Dominicana Pueblo Viejo mining operations, when this was operated by the Dominican government itself.
The mining company published paid advertisements in the press today saying that the contract with the Dominican state was discussed by both parties for 22 months and endorsed by the Central Bank, the Ministry of Industry & Commerce and Rosario Dominicana and almost unanimously approved by the National Congress. The company argues that once the US$3 billion investment is recovered and there is a 10% yield, the Dominican government will receive a participation of 28.75% of the net profit in addition to a 3.2% bonus and 25% income tax.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)