In an interview with Maria Elena Nuñez for her Ser Humano podcast, environmental experts Luis Carvajal, of the Environmental Commission of the state university UASD and Jose Mateo, of the environmental committee of the Academy of Sciences, gave insights to help understand the overall picture of the proposed mining projects in the mountain areas of San Juan de la Maguana.
The interview followed President Luis Abinader’s decision to order that one of the permission-seeking mining companies in the area, Goldquest, suspend activities related to the Romero project, a move praised by the experts as a response to the true interests of the people. The environmentalists say that not a single political party has given its opinion on the mining district developments, explaining that over the years, they have been complicit to the violation of the laws to advance these projects.
Environmentalist Luis Carvajal and José Manuel Mateo, a national parks specialist, clarify that the Romero project is not an isolated site but part of a larger “mining district” consisting of 14 concessions covering approximately 23,000 hectares. They explain that the scientific studies to justify any of these need to focus on the entire region because when one concession is granted, the others will follow. Goldquest is the most advanced after the Ministry of Environment authorized its Environmental Assessment in 2025.
Carvajal and Mateo say that those who say the country should wait for the results of the environmental assessment contracted by Goldquest ignore that the Ministry of Environment bypassed its obligation to first order a Strategic Environmental Evaluation before the issuing of the terms of reference for the Environmental Assessment. This would have assessed the territory’s overall fragility and potential before specific project approvals.
Carvajal has championed, without support from the government, the carrying out of a “Strategic Environmental Assessment” that would look into the impacts at the regional/policy level) in addition to the “Environmental Impact Assessment” that is specific to a single project. This is because the approval of one project will facilitate the approval of the several others that have advanced beyond the exploration period.
They addressed that those who mention the government is violating judicial security of the company forget the judicial security rights of the inhabitants of the area who would be ousted if the mining exploitation permit is granted.
The primary concern continues to be the impact on the San Juan River and the Sabaneta Dam. The experts emphasize that the mining belt sits above these water sources. The real risk of acid mine drainage could permanently contaminate the region’s agricultural water supply and eliminate all options for living and farming and ecotourism activities in the area.
San Juan de la Maguana is described as the “granary of the South,” providing nearly 80% of the country’s bean demand. The experts argue that the temporary economic benefits of mining (estimated by the corporation at US$1 billion over eight years) do not outweigh the permanent loss of agricultural productivity and food security and risks to water sources. Carvajal disputed the short-term duration of the mining operation touted by the promoters.
History shows that mining in the Dominican Republic (citing Alcoa in Pedernales and Falconbridge in Monseñor Nouel and Barrick in Sanchez Ramirez) leave behind “environmental liabilities”—permanent ecological damage—while failing to create long-term wealth for local communities.
The local population’s opposition is rooted in “hydrological poverty,” as they already face severe water rationing during droughts and fear the mine will exacerbate these shortages.
Proposed next steps:
The environmental specialists seek that the Strategic Environmental Assessment be carried out to provide the scientific base for the full suspension of all 14 concessions in the district.
Carvajal says the government instead needs to invest in the rescue of the San Juan de la Maguana watershed and modernize farming.
Constitutional expert lawyer Cristobal Rodriguez writes in Diario Libre on how the case of gold exploitation in San Juan de la Maguana is pending the results of the environmental assessment contracted by Goldquest. He does not address the interest of the community for a comprehensive Strategic Environmental Assessment, as mandated by the law, as explained by Carvajal and Mateo.
Read more in Spanish:
Ser Humano with Maria Elena Nuñez
Diario Libre
13 May 2026