The recently appointed Minister of Energy and Mines, former legislator Pelegrin Castillo, is planning to draw up new mining policies for the Dominican Republic. He called for the support of political players and legislators to present better regulations. Castillo wants to attract major petroleum companies, but has been outspoken about the need for better legislation in this area. “We cannot work with the larger companies with the current weak institutional framework and regulations,” he commented. He was speaking after making a courtesy visit to the Energy and Mines Commission at the Chamber of Deputies yesterday, Monday 12 May. He is the former chairman of the commission. Castillo said multiple and sectorial talks are needed to discuss concrete actions the Ministry will implement. “We are going to work to strengthen the institutionalism in the government sector,” he said, as reported in El Dia.
Castillo stated that mountain farming, trading in wood and charcoal, use of pesticides and chemicals in farming, extraction of construction materials from rivers are greater threats to environment than mining.
Castillo refused to comment on the proposed mining of Loma Miranda.
www.diariolibre.com/noticias/2014/05/13/i606431_pelegrn-castillo-hay-amenazas-fuertes-ambiente-que-minera.html