A Gallup-Hoy poll published today, Tuesday 23 April reflects a majority opinion against proposed mining by Falcondo Xstrata Nickel in Loma Miranda in La Vega province. More than 80% of the population is against granting the mining concession. The Dominican government has requested an opinion from the United Nations Development Program after environmental and community representatives protested that mining would harm water sources and fauna and flora in the region. The experts are expected to issue their opinion this month. The mining company, known for its Bonao operation, has requested permission to mine 313 of 1,373 hectares purchased in the area. The Gallup-Hoy poll was carried out from 11-15 April and 1,200 people were polled.
The lomamiranda.com website maintained by Xstrata provides the company position on the exploitation of the area. The Dominican Republic Academy of Sciences has conducted extensive research and is strongly against the proposal. www.academiadecienciasrd.org
Environmentalist Eleuterio Martinez says that operations would cause irreparable damage to 98 of 201 endemic plants, and would affect 122,000 tareas (629 square meters per tarea) of farmland with polluted water and would degrade the quality of life of 420,000 people with links to farming who live in the eight provinces of the central Cibao region.
www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2013/4/23/477138/Encuesta-Gallup-HoyLa-mayoriano-quiere-Gobierno-permita-extraccion