Deputy Fidelio Despradel (Alianza Pais) proposes declaring San Juan Valley a mine-free zone. He expressed concern over the recent exploration concessions granted by the Dominican government to foreign companies. Despradel is pushing to declare the Yaque del Sur River basin that provides water for the Enriquillo and San Juan de la Maguana Valley area, an area free of mining.
Despradel specifically mentioned the GoldQuest Corporation that expects to begin exploitation of mines in the Enriquillo and El Valle areas, known until now for their fertile farmlands irrigated by the Yaque del Sur, San Juan and Mijo rivers.
He expressed his opposition to the concessions that threaten water sources in Padre Las Casas, Azua and San Juan de la Maguana. He called for the population to oppose alliances between the authorities and wealthy foreign businessmen interested in developing mines in these areas that are important sources of water for the country.
“That all the population of the south of the Republic knows, as a national deputy, I am willing to initiate any action possible to impede this perverse plan to open mining exploitations in the water-producing zone.”
He announced he would introduce a resolution in the Chamber of Deputies that would prevent mining from affecting the water levels of the San Juan River, that are today under threat due to a public relations campaign promoted by the Ministry of Mining.
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Hoy
6 April 2017
