The Ministry of Environment issued a statement where it announces Falconbridge has ceased from its request to exploit its concession for the “La Manaclita Mining Project” in Loma Miranda, La Vega province. He said the Ministry has received a formal communication from the company’s directors where they indicate they have decided to withdraw the request.
Environment Minister Orlando Jorge Mera says in his administration the commitment is and will continue to be the defense of the environment, the natural resources and the ecosystems of the Dominican Republic.
The minister explained the original request was received from Falconbridge because the Environment Law 64-00 and the internal regulations specify that the Ministry must receive the requests for subsequent study and to determine what is most convenient for preserving the country’s natural resources.
Jorge Mera explained that the Ministry will continue to respect the judicial decisions made on Loma Miranda and the technical studies on the area.
“Our position is to abide by what has been expressed in the judicial processes and technical studies carried out that precede the current scenario, as well as the principle of prevention established in Article 8 of the General Law of the Environment and Natural Resources (64-00),” Jorge Mera said in a statement.
Falconbridge has conditioned its continuing operating in the Dominican Republic to the authorizing of the exploitation of its concession in La Vega province.
Read more in Spanish:
Ministry of Environment
El Caribe
N Digital
Constitutional Court
25 February 2021