The Ministry of Energy and Mines has authorized three mining exploration permits within the Cordillera Septentrional, according to a preliminary report from the Environmental Commission of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD). The findings, first published by the Listín Diario, reveal that the concessions encompass thousands of hectares across several communities in the northern region of the country.
For years, the mining companies had sought the exploration rights but these had been denied under past administrations given the concerns of impact on water availability, the experience with mining and the impact on the land, water sources and communities. The communities are concerned they may follow the destiny of the evicted communities and contaminated environment, especially in the gold-producing province of Sanchez Ramirez.
Pathway to exploitation
A primary concern raised by the UASD commission and local stakeholders is the “Eighth Clause” found in the Cobre-El Hoyazo II resolution. This provision grants the concessionaire a legal pathway to transition from exploration to full-scale exploitation.
Clause Eight: “Grants the concessionaire the option to obtain from the State, within the exploration area, the corresponding exploitation concession(s)… provided it has maintained a satisfactory level of compliance with its concessional obligations,” as per Mining Law No. 146 dated 4 June 1971.
“Unidos Somos Más” organizes protest march
The group “Unidos Somos Más,” composed of Catholic priests and local farmers, has called for a “Penitential March” to protect the natural resources of the mountain range. The protest is scheduled for 19 March 2026. The protestors will be marching on Av. Las Carreras to the Hermanas Mirabal bust, along Av. Antonio Guzman, Calle del Sol and Calle Cuba in Santiago. The group will stop for 10 minutes in front of the Provincial Governor’s Office to deliver a formal statement opposing mining in the Cordillera Septentrional.
Details of the mining concessions
The exploration projects target the extraction of gold, silver, copper, zinc, and other base metals. The authorized companies and their respective project areas include:
Cobre-El Hoyazo II (Vertrixii Holdings, S.R.L.):
Resolution: R-MEM-CM-013-2024.
Scope: 8,931.01 mining hectares located in the provinces of Santiago and Puerto Plata.
Municipalities: Altamira, Puerto Plata, and Santiago.
Districts & Sections: Pedro García, Río Grande, San Francisco de Jacagua, and Yásica Arriba. This includes sections such as El Cupey, El Ranchito Piche, Escalera Gurabito de Yaroa, La Auyama, Palo Alto, Pescado Bobo Arriba, Salamanca, Tubagua, and Yásica Abajo.
Localities Covered: Dozens of rural areas including Alto de Bohío, Arroyo Ancho, El Brisón, El Hoyazo, Guazaral, Lajas de Yaroa, Los Lirios, Palmarito, and Sonador de Yaroa.
Lluvia de Oro (Proyecto Minero Gold Rain, S.R.L.):
Resolution: R-MEM-CM-006-2024.
Scope: 3,500 mining hectares in the Puerto Plata province.
Municipalities: Altamira, Imbert, and Guananico.
Sections: Cabia, Caonao, Fundación, Higüero, La Altagracia, Pérez, Quebrada Honda, and Rancho Viejo.
Localities Covered: Localities such as Abadesa, Barrero, El Hoyo de Pérez, Gurabo, Ingenio Amistad, La Piragua (Arriba, Medio, and Abajo), Loma Blanca, Los Llanos de Pérez, and Saballo.
Monte Hoyazo (Unigold Resources, Inc.):
Status: While the Mining Concession Management System (SGCM) has listed this project as “under review” since 21 December 2020, the UASD report indicates that the company is already actively conducting exploration for copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc.
The current Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos, is the brother-in-law of Juana Barcelo, who served as president of Barrick Pueblo Viejo from 2018 until her resignation in June 2025.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
19 March 2026