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Experts evaluate environmental impact study for planned mine
Santo Domingo.- The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) reiterated Thursday that its sole role is to advise Dominican Republic’s Government by evaluating the environmental impact study submitted by Xstrata Nickel for its planned mine at Loma Miranda, in the country’s rugged Central Mountains.
UNDP representative Valerie Julliand said a team of experts this week assessed the environmental impact study submitted by the mining company aimed at obtaining the Environmental Ministry’s authorization to exploit Loma Miranda.
“The experts were selected for their experience in the field, broad knowledge of international conventions, experience working with UN and integrity and transparency, among other things,” said the statement handed out to reporters in a news conference held at UNDP offices in Santo Domingo.
The result of the evaluation will be participatory and multidisciplinary as the group of experts is specialized in the areas of environmental impact assessment, biodiversity, hydrogeology, environmental economics, sustainable mining and sociology, it said.
Julliand introduced the team comprised of the coordinator Eduardo Vadillo, of Mexico, a biologist specialized in environment and development; Olivia Eugenia Sparza, also of Mexico, a social anthropologist, and Rafael Negret, of Colombia, expert on Latin America political issues.
Also Oscar Arnoldo Escolero, of El Salvador an earth scientist and expert on groundwater; David Laurence, of Australia, a mining engineer, and Jared Hardner, of the United States, an economist, and expert on the nvironmental and natural resources.
The UNDP representative said the team has been in consultations and on site meetings throughout the week to obtain the needed input to evaluate the controversial project from various perspectives. “Experts continue to work from their respective countries in the analysis of the documents submitted by the company Falcondo (Xstrata) also the summaries of consultations, meetings and field visits made during this week,” the statement said, adding that a second visit by the group is slated for March.
Conflicts
When DT asked Laurence on similar conflicts arising from Australia’s vast experience in mining, the engineer affirmed that they occur in all countries, noting his nation’s more than 200 years in the activity
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“The experts were selected for their experience in the field, broad knowledge of international conventions, experience working with UN and integrity and transparency, among other things,” said the statement handed out to reporters in a news conference held at UNDP offices in Santo Domingo.
The result of the evaluation will be participatory and multidisciplinary as the group of experts is specialized in the areas of environmental impact assessment, biodiversity, hydrogeology, environmental economics, sustainable mining and sociology, it said."
Until the DR develops its own in-house expertise, it will need to rely on international expertise.
Hopefully this review of the Impact Study will ease concerns around this project.
DR must be VERY CAREFUL not to fall into that category of rogue nations that have earned a black eye in international capitalist circles.
This is a Kangaroo Review Process, no offense to the Aussie intended; for world public relations.
The Ministry of Mining is run by a former 30 years Executive of *Falconbridge, Alexander Medina; does anybody really believe he is going to deny them the permit?
*“Falconbridge Limited was a Toronto, Ontario-based natural resources company with operations in 18 countries, involved in the exploration, mining, processing, and marketing of metal and mineral products, including nickel, copper, cobalt, and platinum. It was listed on the TSX (under the symbol FAL.LV) and NYSE (FAL), and had revenue of $6.9 billion USD in 2005. In August 2006, it was absorbed by Swiss-based mining company Xstrata, which had formerly been a major shareholder.”
wikipedia.org/wiki/Falconbridge_Limited
Does the Concept of CONFLICT of INTRESTS even exist in the Dominican Republic?
Conflict of interest is right, Dr. Josean!!
""UNDP representative Valerie Julliand said a team of experts this week assessed the environmental impact study submitted by the mining company aimed at obtaining the Environmental Ministry’s authorization to exploit Loma Miranda. ""
What!! ??? ...An environmental impact study submitted BY the mining company? .. Now, what could this mining Co. submit in this "study"? .. That "it's not suitable to mine, considering the negative environmental impact to the region"?.. Or likely, that it's OK to level out these mountains, with little or no damage to the environment, eh?
...Or am I reading this incorrectly?
"Conflict of interest is right, Dr. Josean!!"
Thank you Ron, but I prefer Campesino josean.