Energy & Mines Minister Antonio Isa Conde told the community of San Juan de la Maguana on 30 January 2018 that their approval is necessary for the Ministry of Environment to grant the required exploitation permits for the provincial gold mine. He said that the resolution sent to the Executive Branch on the Romero gold mine project is based on technical, legal and financial studies. He said that the approval does not mean that GoldQuest has the right to carry out the exploitation of the gold mine that is conditioned to the Ministry of Environment go ahead. He said it is up to the Ministry of Environment to decide if the project is environmentally viable. “We are sure that if the environmental studies indicate that the mining project could affect the water sources in the zone, the Ministry of Environment will not issue the license,” said Minister Isa Conde.
San Juan de la Maguana is a farming province. The GoldQuest mining project is near the San Juan River, a main water source. Mining director Alexander Medina has said that the mine will use rainwater. Farmer representatives say mining in the area is not compatible with farming.
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Diario a Diario
31 January 2018
