[Blockierte Grafik: https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/c0.3.48.48/p48x48/1743727_10200738216252846_1799507798_n.jpg?oh=47ad74f9503007debcf3e083cff4418d&oe=5A176631]
Robert Crowley ·
Your article is partially correct in that the Environment Minister can not receive the project until
it is cleared at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, which has taken almost 24 months for the permitting process.
The Minister of Environment knows well that the project is in the permitting process and that it does not only exist in the press. Assuming he was quoted correctly, the public was misled either by the Minister or by the reporter.
Your reference to Fidelio Despradel is also cut from a local article where he claimed that the mining site (subterranean) was 3 kms. from the Sabaneta Dam. In fact the project is 22 kms from the dam when measured by the distance along the San Juan River. In addition, the same person, in an attempt to politicise a private sector initiative stated that the project will contaminiate the environment, when in fact the process submitted to the ministry of energy and mines is based on physical separation, internal flotation, and water recycling.
The concentrates will be exported for processing. The process was specifically developed to avoid taking water from the river and to avoid the use of any contaminants.
The sensationalism and mis/information demonstrated by these minority politicians seeking to gain a greater share of the political market in ignorance of sound science, engineering, and environmental assessment is deplorable and will ultimately destroy the foreign investment that the Dominican Government is actively seeking abroad.
None of the group involved in the current smear campaign has presented any factual information to support their claims nor have they presented a program to alleviate poverty in the upper San Juan Watershed.
Goldquest has presented an integrated project of 23 kms of improved road, electric power, and over 800 direct and thousands of indirect jobs over the life of the project.
The project is only in the pre-feasibility stage and, if permitted, will produce the environmental impact, social impact, finanl engineering, and final economic analysis as part of the feasibility stage that culminates in the Environmental license.
With that known, these pronouncements are even more absurd.
Be careful of repeating libelous and counter-productive arguments and by all means, CHECK YOUR FACTS AND CITE YOUR SOURCES.
