Hundreds of protesters took to the streets on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, in a “march-caravana” to voice a resounding “No” to mining exploitation in the Cordillera Central and Cordillera Septentrional mountain ranges. The mountain ranges are vital to the production of water for human consumption and farming irrigation.
The demonstration, organized by the Catholic movement “Unidos Somos Más” (United We Are More), saw a significant turnout of residents from Santiago and Puerto Plata. Participants traveled in cars and on motorcycles with headlights on and horns blaring, traversing the Juan Pablo Duarte Highway and Las Carreras Avenue before concluding at Santiago’s central monorail and cable car station.
Father Ramón “Nino” Ramos, representing the group of priests and community leaders leading the movement, framed the protest as a defense of “Mother Earth” against what he described as insatiable corporate greed.
“They tell us that mining is progress,” Father Ramos said during the rally. “But progress for whom? For those of us in the rural fields, mining only leaves behind destroyed crops, felled trees, dried-up water sources, the eviction of families, and the disappearance of entire communities.”
The priest criticized mining interests seeking to expand operations across the country—citing San Juan in the south, Restauración in the northwest, and now the Cibao region in the north. However, organizers clarified that the protest was not a direct attack on the government or the Ministry of Energy and Mines, but rather a peaceful movement in favor of the nature that sustains life.
Despite a visible presence of National Police and Army officers, the march proceeded without incident. The movement vowed to continue its struggle to protect the ecological integrity of the nation’s primary mountain ranges.
Given the high prices of gold, business and government sectors favor an increase in mining. Barrick Gold has received permits for the construction of a second tailings dam in the province of Sanchez Ramirez to expand its mining operations. Other provinces rejected the toxic waste storage facility. Goldquest seeks to exploit a gold mine using rainwater.
Diario Libre reports the government has issued permits to explore for gold 127.8 million hectares to 19 persons and corporate entities.
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Listin Diario
Diario Libre
29 January 2026