The Ministry of Energy and Mines announced on Monday, 19 January 2026 that it has no plans to authorize mining exploitation in the Cordillera Septentrional, following inconclusive exploration results in the provinces of Puerto Plata and Santiago.
The official statement dated 19 January 2026 clarifies that recent activities associated with a 2024 concession have been “exclusively exploratory” and have failed to identify any mineral deposits of economic significance.
The Ministry of Environment says that according to technical reports, airborne geophysical tests conducted in October 2025 yielded “unsatisfactory” results for those seeking viable mining sites. Consequently, the government confirmed that the project has not progressed, and will not progress, toward a development or extraction phase.
To manage public expectations and environmental concerns, the Ministry emphasized the distinction between exploration and exploitation:
• Exploration: Regulated technical studies (geological, geophysical, and geochemical) used to assess the potential of a territory.
• Exploitation: The actual commercial extraction of minerals, which the Ministry explicitly stated is not currently being favored or planned for this region.
The Ministry underscored that all preliminary surveys are conducted under strict state supervision, adhering to Mining Law No. 146-71 and Environmental Law No. 64-00. Officials reiterated that their priority remains “responsible and transparent management” that respects both local communities and the ecological integrity of the mountain range.
The Ministry of Environment has yet to announce the findings of the Environmental Asessment for the request for exploitation in San Juan de la Maguana mountains secured by GoldQuest near to another protected area and important water source.
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Presidency
20 January 2026