The Foundation for Justice and Transparency (FJT) is calling on the government to review the contract signed with Barrick Gold mining company for the exploitation of the Pueblo Viejo mine in Sanchez Ramirez (Cotui) province, as reported in Diario Digital RD.com
FJT president Trajano Potentini said that the contract could become just a bunch of unfulfilled promises because it is contingent on the mining venture turning a profit. He recalls that the gold mine already went bankrupt after being operated by Rosario Dominicana, later purchased by Placer Dome and now Barrick Gold.
“With this track record, to contract based on the operation turning a future profit is a mockery of the Dominican people,” said Potentini. He said that the social and political consequences of the contract must be taken into consideration.
Potentini described the contract as damaging to national interests. He said it was reminiscent of the times of the Spanish colonization, when the Indians were happy to exchange their gold for little mirrors brought by the Spaniards. He recalled other onerous contracts signed by the government, such as the Hotel Montana, Agua Luz, tolls of Las Americas with Codacsa, licensing of motor vehicles and the automating of the Central Electoral Board.
He called for the creation of a specialized unit to review government contracts prior to their submission to Congress.