Archive for April, 2022
Barrick Gold Building a second tailing dam in Sanchez Ramirez province
The Ministry of Energy and Mines has reportedly narrowed down to two locations in Sánchez Ramírez province the site where Barrick gold would build its second tailings dam. Sánchez Ramirez is the present location of the Barrick Gold Pueblo Viejo gold mine and the first tailings dam. Barrick says the second tailing dam is necessary to continue gold mining. The DR exported US$1.8 billion in gold ore in 2021, as reported in Diario Libre.
A previous site chosen by the company in Yamasá, Monte Plata province was actively protested and rejected by the community.
Barrick Gold Corporation announced on 8 April 2022 that the Dominican government had completed its strategic review of the location of the new Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) for the Pueblo Viejo mine. The company explains the TSF would support annual production in excess of 800,000 ounces. The $1.4 billion Pueblo Viejo gold mine expansion project will extend production at the Tier One asset beyond 2040.
Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow said the final location and construction of the facility would be subject to the completion of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in accordance with Dominican Republic legislation and international standards. Once completed, the ESIA would be submitted to the government for evaluation and final decision.
As reported in Mining.com, Barrick’s CEO, Mark Bristow, has previously stated that once completed, the project will deliver a “super mine” capable of producing more than 900,000 oz. of gold over most of its remaining life. The mine plan even calls for two years where production above 1 million oz. is forecast. Pueblo Viejo is a 60-40 joint venture between Barrick and Newmont.
Dominican environmentalist Luis Carvajal criticizes the lack of transparency with which he says the Ministry of Energy and Mines is handling the case. As reported in Diario Libre, Carvajal says: “The law is very clear. In a project of this type, the mining company is the one that has to make a presentation of the alternatives with a primary analysis of those alternatives and the role of the state is, based on that request… to establish if it is pertinent or not.”
Carvajal criticized that the location for the new tailings dam has not been presented and that there is no primary study, contrary to the procedures established in Environmental Law 64-00.
A feature in Tree Hugger explains that tailings are a type of rock waste from the mining industry. When a mineral product is mined, the valuable portion is usually embedded in a rock matrix called ore. Once the ore has been stripped of its valuable minerals, sometimes through the addition of chemicals, it is piled up into tailings. Tailings can reach immense proportions, appearing in the form of large hills (or sometimes ponds) on the landscape.
The tailings dam is a high-risk proposal. In recent years there have been several catastrophic mine tailings dam failures, including those in Canada (Mount Polley), Brazil (San Marco and Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Rondonia), and Peru (Ananea, San Pedro de Coris), Mexico (Canelas). There have also tailings dam failures in Australia, Israel, and the United States.
Apr 11, 2022
Source: El Dia
Mangrove protected area assaulted by monied interests
Some powerful economic interests are said to be behind the building of a drainage canal through a protected area of mangroves in Montecristi. The land, part of the protective areas covered under Environment Law 64-00, is located inside the Estero Balsa Bay area of Manzanillo. The land is adjacent to the highway that connects Montecristi and Dajabon at the Copey Curve.
According to reports in the El Caribe newspaper, the project’s objective is to drain the area, kill the mangroves, and then use the land to plant coconut trees.
The area is known as a winter stop for various species of birds that use the area for breeding and as a refuge. Sources said that traps were set and over pink flamingos were caught and sold in Punta Cana.
Local ecologists have issued a call to Environment Minister Orlando Jorge Mera to intervene in this violation of the Environmental Law.
Source; El Caribe
Apr 11, 2022
60,000 women got Dominican cosmetic surgeries in 2021
The Dominican Society of Plastic Surgeries (Sodocipre) president, Dr. Rubén Carrasco, told N Digital that around 60,000 women underwent plastic surgery in the country last year. This is an average of 164 a day. The medical society has a membership of 212 members.
Carrasco says there is a boom in the demand for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. The Dominican Republic is becoming one of the leading countries for medical tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean. He attributed this to the quality of the services, proximity to major markets, and generally good results.
Carrasco says the most performed aesthetic surgeries are body contouring, such as abdominoplasty, liposculpture, fat transfer to buttocks, breast surgeries, reduction, breast lift, or implants.
“We have become true experts in body contouring surgery, and if you add to this the fact that the Dominican Republic has managed to take the lead over other countries in the region during the post-pandemic period, after the opening of the country, this has led to an increase in the number of cases,” he highlighted.
The guild that groups plastic surgeons maintain general safety protocols for its members and recommends against operating on those excessively overweight and those who have aggravated or uncontrolled medical conditions such as bronchial asthma, diabetes, or heart problems.
He says 70% of the patients they see for cosmetic surgery are between the ages of 20 and 35 years. 26% are 36 to 57 years of age.
Source: N Digital
Apr 11, 2022
Chamber of Deputies passes bill that sets zero taxes on food staples
The ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) used its majority in the Chamber of Deputies to pass a bill submitted by the Presidency that calls for zero taxes on several food staples. The bill had the backing of the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo Pacheco (PRM-National District).
The intention is to mitigate inflation and counteract the external supply shocks that are causing significant increases in prices here. The bill eliminates import tariffs on 67 products. It will be in effect for six months as of its passing in the legislature and imports will need to be approved by the National Agriculture Committee (Comisión Nacional Agrícola).
The Association of Milk Producers, the Poultry Association, and others protested the passing of the bill.
The initiative passed with a vote of 102 in favor and 67 against. Those who voted against it insist the bill will affect local producers.
Source: Hoy
Apr 11, 2022
Last updated January 23, 2026 at 4:16 pm