Santo Domingo.- The mine at Pueblo Viejo, Cotui (northeast) will have 4,000 workers next year, which is expected to boost its commerce and the economy of Sanchez Ramirez province, with its first bullion by yearend 2011.

At present 3,200 people from the nearby towns Cotuí and Maimón work in that project, with 800 added by next year for the construction of a power line.

Pueblo Viejo Dominicana Corporation has been in the construction stage for almost two years on the part of the Canada-based Barrick Gold, and the project plans to produce its first gold bar in 2011’s last quarter.

The mining company, in each of its operations around world, works from the standpoint of sustainability and harmony with the environment and the communities.

Today almost all of the project’s construction workers are from nearby communities, and have participated in intensive training in security and other areas to improve their abilities.