Santo Domingo.- The mining company Xstrata-Falcondo on Monday reiterated that nickel exploitation at Loma Miranda, central La Vega, is economically and environmentally feasible, with no risk of contaminating the region with heavy metals.

Its executives said their 20-year mining project is in a reserve with 19.6 million tons of minerals, of which 1.60% is nickel, noting that Xtrata’s plan to conclude extractions include funds to reforest the mining area concurrently with operations.

They said reputable international firms in the area and local technicians prepared the Environmental Impact Study, which in their view takes into account the area’s environmental characteristics.

In a press conference in Xstrata’s offices located in the sector Gazcue, the executive said no evidence was found of chromium salt -a heavy metal- in their current operations in Bonao and La Vega. They said that metal isn’t diluted by water as stated by the Academy of Sciences.