The Department of Customs has announced it is in the process of installing a special lab to verify contents of mining shipments. DGA director Fernando Fernandez said that technicians need to be trained and that he expected it to be operational in two months. It will be staffed by mining, geology and chemistry experts and located near Las Americas International Airport. Fernandez said the lab would enable them to quickly determine the mineral contents of shipments. Fernandez made the statement when addressing the Senate Security and Defense Commission with an update on the dealings with Barrick Pueblo Viejo.
In March, Customs stopped a Barrick shipment after finding irregularities in what the company had reported, including discrepancies between the values declared and the reported and actual origin of the metals.
Minister of the Presidency Jose Ramon Peralta said that the government would define the status of the request for review of the Barrick Pueblo Viejo contract this month, as reported in Hoy.
http://www.listin.com.do/la-republica/2013/4/10/272600/Aduanas-instalara-laboratorio-especial
www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2013/4/9/475128/Gobierno-define-este-mes-caso-Barrick