Fishermen and residents in the communities bordering the Hatillo Dam in central Sanchez Ramirez province are alarmed by mass tilapia mortalities and visible contamination of the waters.
Thousands of dead fish are accumulating between the banks of the reservoir and the land, mainly in the communities of El 8 de Caballero, Maimón and El Meladito.
The locals are asking for an urgent investigation by the Ministry of the Environment because they have not seen before so many dead fish as in the last five days.
In addition, the decomposition of the fish gives off a foul, almost unbearable odor causing other negative impacts.
The locals have suspended using the reservoir waters and fishing activities in the area.
Another situation of worse proportions is the accumulation of thick green water inside the lake in the vicinity of the wall.
Alongside the dark water, which gives the appearance of a paint spill, tree trunks, plastic and dead fish are accumulating.
Some residents in the area attribute the situation to contamination from the Barrick Pueblo Viejo mining company, which operates very close to the area.
The Pueblo Viejo mining and its tailings dam are located near the Hatillo Dam that has an area of 22 sq. km and is one of the most important water sources for the country. Hatillo Dam is key to irrigating the rice fields in the Cibao.
The Rio Yuna feeds the Hatillo Dam. Environmentalists have raised concerns that an industrial accident or toxic spill in the El Llagal tailings dam could rapidly contaminate the Yuna River causing a major environmental disaster.
The Ministry of Environment has authorized Barrick to build a second open-air tailings dam in Sanchez Ramirez province.
Read more in Spanish:
N Digital
Mi Mundo
DR1 News
7 June 2023