NewsWhore
09-07-2012, 02:10 PM
A former deputy Environment minister has warned the authorities reviewing the environmental impact study for the Loma Miranda exploitation to check for hexavalent chromium levels at the site. Environmentalists are worried about possible toxic contamination of drinking water and have asked Congress to block mining. The chemical is known to cause cancer in humans.
As reported in Hoy, Victor Garcia says that ferronickel mining by Falcondo Xstrata Nickel at Loma Miranda is a great challenge for the new Ministry of Environment authorities, now under former Minister of Health Bautista Gomez Rojas. Garcia urged the authorities to evaluate the impact study carefully, adding that the Ministry of Environment needed to approve or reject the project within a reasonable timeframe. He said the challenge is to put together a multi-disciplinary assessment team at the highest level capable of responding to the very skilled technicians that represent the mining company.
Environmental organizations and community representatives are objecting to the operation of the mine at the site, warning of the risk of serious environmental damage. Solid waste and gaseous emissions from the operations could have harmful consequences for the inhabitants of that region. They are calling on the Senate to approve a bill that would elevate the category of the Loma Miranda site to a protected area. La Vega senator Euclides Sanchez submitted the bill to the Senate.
The company has invested millions in a propaganda campaign to convince residents that the operation will not damage the environment.
www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2012/9/6/445227/Loma-Miranda-constituye-reto-para-autoridades-ambientales (http://www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2012/9/6/445227/Loma-Miranda-constituye-reto-para-autoridades-ambientales)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#4)
As reported in Hoy, Victor Garcia says that ferronickel mining by Falcondo Xstrata Nickel at Loma Miranda is a great challenge for the new Ministry of Environment authorities, now under former Minister of Health Bautista Gomez Rojas. Garcia urged the authorities to evaluate the impact study carefully, adding that the Ministry of Environment needed to approve or reject the project within a reasonable timeframe. He said the challenge is to put together a multi-disciplinary assessment team at the highest level capable of responding to the very skilled technicians that represent the mining company.
Environmental organizations and community representatives are objecting to the operation of the mine at the site, warning of the risk of serious environmental damage. Solid waste and gaseous emissions from the operations could have harmful consequences for the inhabitants of that region. They are calling on the Senate to approve a bill that would elevate the category of the Loma Miranda site to a protected area. La Vega senator Euclides Sanchez submitted the bill to the Senate.
The company has invested millions in a propaganda campaign to convince residents that the operation will not damage the environment.
www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2012/9/6/445227/Loma-Miranda-constituye-reto-para-autoridades-ambientales (http://www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2012/9/6/445227/Loma-Miranda-constituye-reto-para-autoridades-ambientales)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#4)