The government is moving ahead with the project to exploit the sulfurs of the Rosario Mining Pueblo Viejo gold mine with a long-term lease to an international mining company. The Pueblo Viejo concession is located in the center of the Dominican Republic and the reserves are considered to be in the "world class" gold mine category. The proven in-situ geologic sulfide resources are approximately 30 million ounces of gold. Gold production from the oxide reserves during the period 1975-1992 totaled 5 million ounces of gold and 22 million ounces of silver. The exploitation of the underlying sulfide reserves requires the application of advanced mining technologies able to process these metallurgical complex refractory ores. The tender had started in 1997 under Salomon Brothers, but sources say that one of the major issues that put a stop to its conclusion was who would pay to clean up the contamination that had already occurred because of delays in contracting an operator. Further delays have increased the cost of the clean up. Another issue is who will be responsible for the accumulated debts of the Rosario Mining operation. Pedro Vasquez Chavez, director of Mining, and Miguel Peña, director of the Unidad Corporativa Minera are supervising the tender preparations. They say the contractor would commit to exploit the sulfide resources using methods that guarantee environmental protection. According to the government so far Newmont Mining Corporation, Mount Isa Mining Holding LTD., Goldfield Corporation and Barrick Gold Corporation have registered to participate in the tender. Other companies have shown an interest.
