President Danilo Medina has delegated the controversial issue of Loma Miranda to the Legislative Branch. He said the issue dates back many years to when the concession was given to Falconbridge. Given the controversy surrounding the proposed mining, he recalled that the Ministry of Environment contracted the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to review the environmental impact presented by the company. The UNDP recommended improvements in the environmental impact study.
President Medina said that Falcondo had rejected the request to remove the environmental impact study and present a new study. He said given that position of the company, the government decided to reject the environmental impact study and not grant the exploitation permission.
The President said that leading sectors that oppose mining in Loma Miranda are calling for the mountain to be declared a protected area. He said that he would issue his opinion once Congress acts.
See the complete press conference at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHi5E2KdEXY