Engineer Miguel Pe?a de los Santos is optimistic that efforts of the government?s Corporate Mining Unit which he presides over will pay off. He forecast an increase in Dominican mining exports from US$200 million at present to more than US$600 million by the year 2004. He said an investment by major mining companies of around US$1,200 million is expected in the next four years. In a press conference, he said his department has been contacting major mining business and international organizations to promote private investment, restore the gold exports and promote small mining operations. The goal is for mining to contribute 5% to the Gross Domestic Product by 2004. “This growth will generate exports of US$600 to US$800 million but it will be carried out with a environmentally responsible vision to achieve sustainable developments in mining. Last year mining contributed 1.8% to the Gross Domestic Product. Mining exports were primarily those made by Falconbridge Dominicana which exported US$237.4 million last year.
