The Presidency of the Republic, the National Council for Mining Development, the Commission for Mining Tenders and the Central Bank announced the opening of the tender for the exploitation of the sulfide ore reserves of the Rosario Pueblo Viejo mine. Newmont Corporation, Barick Gold Corporation, Normandy Mining Ltd., Homestake Minign Company, Placer Dome Inc., BHP Ptv Ltd., Gold Fields of South Afria, Cominco Resouces International Ltd., MIM Holdings, Mali Mining, Teck Corporation, RTZ/Kennecott Peñoles, Anglo Gold, Luismin, Franco Nevada, Pasmico and Sigma Resources Ltd prequalified to participate in the tender. The companies are invited to formally register for the tender by making a non-reimbursable payment of US$20,000 with the legal section of the Department of Mining by noon of 2 July 2001. The Mining Corporate Unit has prepared the terms of reference and the calendar of the tender that was approved by the Monetary Board of the Central Bank for the presentation of proposals. The contracted company would develop the project to extract gold and silver from sulfide ore in the Cotuí area Pueblo Viejo mine, one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Proven sulfide ore reserves are estimated at more than 100 million tons, which would generate an estimated US$2 billion during the well over 30 years life span of the mine.
