Barrick Gold, the Canadian mining company operating in Pueblo Viejo, Cotui, has dismissed charges made by various groups that are protesting outside their installations. The protesters claim that most of the employees at the gold mine are foreign, and that Barrick should be employing more local people.
The Head of Communications of Barrick, Jorge Esteva has said that 88% of the workers are Dominican, which exceeds the legal requirement and of those more that 30% come from Sanchez Ramirez province. He said Barrick has generated significant economic activity in the whole area and that they are always looking for ways to help the communities develop not only economically but also socially.
He regretted that certain interest groups were putting the safety of their workers and local residents at risk and asked them to reconsider their actions, in order to maintain the stability and peace of the area.
www.elnacional.com.do/nacional/2012/10/3/136914/Barrick-Pueblo-Viejo-dice-88-de-sus-empleados-es-dominicano