The Padre Rogelio Foundation has presented a legal recourse against Falconbridge Dominicana, accusing the mining company of serious damage during its operations in the Peguera, Ortega and Ponton mountains in Monsenor Nouel (Bonao), La Vega and Sanchez Ramirez (Cotui) provinces. The suit was submitted to the Attorney General for the Defense of Environment and Natural Resources. The outspoken priest says that the Canadian company has not restored even 15% of the environmental liabilities that have been abandoned over the 40 years of mining in the area. He seeks a minimum preliminary compensation of 1% of the company’s net profits, and 5% of the profits and the deposit of 10% of the investment in a bank fund.
Father Rogelio has been a key campaigner in the fight to prevent Falcondo from mining another mountain in the area, Loma Miranda in La Vega on the grounds that Falcondo has a poor track record for remedial work after mining in the area.