Communities in Sanchez Ramirez evicted to make way for Barrick Gold expansion

[Dolores]

Father Johnny was injured while accompanying the community members who were protesting the eviction. / Panorama Nacional

Families in the northcentral Sánchez Ramírez province were violently removed from their homes early Wednesday, 8 January 2025 in the morning by the mining giant Barrick Gold as it makes way for the construction of a second tailings dam. The forceful eviction has left the affected communities in a state of crisis and sparked widespread condemnation, Listin Diario reports.

Communities including Zambrana Arriba, Arroyo Vuelta, Laja, Las Tres Bocas, El Ligo, El Rayo, and El Naranjo were the hardest hit by the operation. Reports indicate that residents in the communities were injured during the violent clashes that ensued when residents resisted the eviction.

Accompanied by Dominican Army personnel, Barrick Gold personnel arrived in the communities...

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[JD Jones]

Gettin' ugly in Cotui:

Father Johnny Durán, from the Santo Cura de Ars Church and representative of the Diocese of La Vega, was injured in Cotuí during a violent intervention by the Army and the Police in protests linked to Barrick Gold. The father blamed President Luis Abinader for what happened. Durán denounced that the soldiers did not intend to engage in dialogue and said that they have shot at houses with unarmed people inside.

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[NanSanPedro]

Gettin' ugly in Cotui:

Father Johnny Durán, from the Santo Cura de Ars Church and representative of the Diocese of La Vega, was injured in Cotuí during a violent intervention by the Army and the Police in protests linked to Barrick Gold. The father blamed President Luis Abinader for what happened. Durán denounced that the soldiers did not intend to engage in dialogue and said that they have shot at houses with unarmed people inside.

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If true that they are shooting at unarmed people, this will get ugly very quickly. The govt and the Gold folks have to understand when you take someone's home by force or perceived force, they will react.

 

[DrNoob]

Wasn't someone shot in Sosua during the shack removal as well ?

 

[Manuel01]

The truth is that all the involved Residents received compensation reaching up to 10x the real value of their Property.
Barrick Gold became the biggest Tax Payer in the DR and everybody is benefiting from their presence. This kind of evictions in mining or Highway Projects are very common and done all over the world even in Europe or the US. It's all about $ !!!! They just try to get a better Deal. No reason to get exited about it !

 

[keepcoming]

Honestly it has been getting "ugly" for a while now (spouse has family there). Many of these people have lived there for generations. A lot of the issues stem from the people saying there was no clear plan presented on relocating people.

 

[keepcoming]

The truth is that all the involved Residents received compensation reaching up to 10x the real value of their Property.
Barrick Gold became the biggest Tax Payer in the DR and everybody is benefiting from their presence. This kind of evictions in mining or Highway Projects are very common and done all over the world even in Europe or the US. It's all about $ !!!! They just try to get a better Deal. Nothing to be exited about !

That is 100% not true. Many residents are being offered very low compensation for their property. Please do not say that this is nothing to get excited about. These are people's homes, where they have raised their families, etc.. If you knew exactly what the issues are then you would know that many are not receiving or being offered enough to relocate. Do you live in Cotui? Have family there?

 

[Big]

Most have never been to Cotui or even know where it is or what goes on there. As Sir Manuel indicates it is no different than living near a power plant, airport, factory or prison. Sometimes it is best to relocate.

 

[Manuel01]

That is 100% not true. Many residents are being offered very low compensation for their property. Please do not say that this is nothing to get excited about. These are people's homes, where they have raised their families, etc.. If you knew exactly what the issues are then you would know that many are not receiving or being offered enough to relocate. Do you live in Cotui ? Have family there?

There are a lot of People squatting the Land there that don't have any Land or Property Title. They have been asked for several years to normalize their situation and many of them ignored all those requests. Even the one's that officially don't exist were offered compensation. Do not believe anything about them being "victimized" !!! Again; It's all about receiving more $$$. The DR has very Big Gold Resources.. With so many pending mining projects, the Government can't take to much sh.. from these locals. It scares Investors away. Everybody is screaming for free and better schools and Healthcare etc, etc, etc. Where do they think the $ should come from ??? Maybe the Pastor in the Image can make a prayer and ask G-d to build some new Hospitals !?

 

[bob saunders]

Honestly it has been getting "ugly" for a while now (spouse has family there). Many of these people have lived there for generations. A lot of the issues stem from the people saying there was no clear plan presented on relocating people.

Probably the truth is somewhere in the middle. Those with proper ownership papers and brains saw the writing on the wall, accepted the offer and have already either moved or have a plan in place. Those that are squatters or just stubborn have done nothing. They want the government to build them a new house on land given to them plus compensation for the land they were squatting on. It is hard to pull up roots and start over.

 

[CristoRey]

Probably the truth is somewhere in the middle. Those with proper ownership papers and brains saw the writing on the wall, accepted the offer and have already either moved or have a plan in place. Those that are squatters or just stubborn have done nothing. They want the government to build them a new house on land given to them plus compensation for the land they were squatting on. It is hard to pull up roots and start over.

Whenever the this type of situation occurs and the government knocks at your door, it's already a done deal. Take what they offer you and move on. It's always better to end up with a little bit of something rather than a whole lot of nothing.

 

[NanSanPedro]

Whenever the this type of situation occurs and the government knocks at your door, it's already a done deal. Take what they offer you and move on. It's always better to end up with a little bit of something rather than a whole lot of nothing.

Ehhhh, not so sure bout dat CR. Now I agree the residents are not negotiating from a position of strength, especially if they're squatters. But no one ever should accept the first offer, regardless of how it's perceived. Also, the squeaky wheel gets the grease so if one raises a big enough stink, you might get more. Look at the USA as a first order example.

 

[CristoRey]

Look at the USA as a first order example.

Agreed however this is the Dominican Republic a country where one's greed is often only matched by his laziness.

 

[keepcoming]

There are a lot of People squatting the Land there that don't have any Land or Property Title. They have been asked for several years to normalize their situation and many of them ignored all those requests. Even the one's that officially don't exist were offered compensation. Do not believe anything about them being "victimized" !!! Again; It's all about receiving more $$$. The DR has very Big Gold Resources.. With so many pending mining projects, the Government can't take to much sh.. from these locals. It scares Investors away. Everybody is screaming for free and better schools and Healthcare etc, etc, etc. Where do they think the $ should come from ??? Maybe the Pastor in the Image can make a prayer and ask G-d to build some new Hospitals !?

Here is the thing, do you have firsthand knowledge of this or proof? Again, do you live in Cotui or Sanchez Ramirez? Have you spent time there, or talked to the residents? It is not about being "victimized" as you posted. This is about families losing their homes where they have lived for years. It is about residents being given proper reimbursement and somewhere to relocate. Unless you have lived or spent time in Cotui, you would not know about some of the difficulties residents have had with this. These issues have been going on for years. I agree with Cristo Rey it is pretty much a done deal, but the argument is about how it is being done. Sometimes I think it is really easy for ex-pats/others (me included) to give their version/opinion on what should be done and how it should be done, but yet we are not in their position, we are not living through what they are.

 

[Big]

Reminds me of the guy who tried to squeeze the sugar cane industry.

 

[Tom F.]

The truth is that all the involved Residents received compensation reaching up to 10x the real value of their Property.
Barrick Gold became the biggest Tax Payer in the DR and everybody is benefiting from their presence. This kind of evictions in mining or Highway Projects are very common and done all over the world even in Europe or the US. It's all about $ !!!! They just try to get a better Deal. No reason to get exited about it !

Let's see some proof of this. 10X I seriously doubt it. I'm may visit the area next week and see for myself. Barrick Gold has used the power of the government before. They know how to spread the money around.

 

[Tom F.]

There are a lot of People squatting the Land there that don't have any Land or Property Title. They have been asked for several years to normalize their situation and many of them ignored all those requests. Even the one's that officially don't exist were offered compensation. Do not believe anything about them being "victimized" !!! Again; It's all about receiving more $$$. The DR has very Big Gold Resources.. With so many pending mining projects, the Government can't take to much sh.. from these locals. It scares Investors away. Everybody is screaming for free and better schools and Healthcare etc, etc, etc. Where do they think the $ should come from ??? Maybe the Pastor in the Image can make a prayer and ask G-d to build some new Hospitals !?

To title the land cost quite a bit of money. Barrick should of facilitated that then compensate more than the house. The government better be ready to take some shit.

 

[Tom F.]

Most have never been to Cotui or even know where it is or what goes on there. As Sir Manuel indicates it is no different than living near a power plant, airport, factory or prison. Sometimes it is best to relocate.

Let's find out where grande lives and then forcibly remove him without proper compensation. I've been to Cotui probably 25 times.
what does that prove? por favor

 

[Tom F.]

Agreed however this is the Dominican Republic a country where one's greed is often only matched by his laziness.

Sorry did mean to like this. You should spend some time in the campo. I see a bunch of hard working people. Even in SFM all I see is hard working people.
bet you could not keep up with them.

 

[Big]

Let's find out where grande lives and then forcibly remove him without proper compensation. I've been to Cotui probably 25 times.
what does that prove? por favor

I am a businessman and understand business progress. As an employee you often point your finger at "the man" when things don't go your way. So, I understand you.