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SANTO DOMINGO. - Mining Agency director Octavio Lopez said yesterday the English firm Walvis Investment was issued the permit to operate in Samaná (northeast) based on an environmental impact study, and that political and business interests oppose the activities of the company, which would spend up to US$150 million.

He said he was unaware Samaná governor Elsa de Leon has been heading the protests agaisnt the foreign mining company’s operation and that there is nothing that threatens the environment.

De Leon and residents of Samaná, Sanchez, Los Corralitos, Arroyo Barril and La Majagua say they oppose the project, though Lopez challenged anyone to produce studies that show the project is harmful. "If they present the studies and demonstrate that it is harmful we considered it. But so far it’s an opposition to oppose, even politicized.”

He said a project which is going to generate jobs and investments of up to 150 million dollars cannot be detained because some “cute” person wants to.

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COMMENTS
4 comment(s)
Written by: J, 14 Aug 2007 1:54 PM
From: villa
Maybe they are protesting because people in their own province should be the ones taking advantage of this opportunity and reaping natural resources. If the governor and the people in that province don't want them there then they should not be allowed to mine. THE LAND DOES NOT BELONG TO ENGLAND! They should stop trying to legislate from Santo Domingo and also stop accepting bribes and favors. They don't seem to understand that one day there will be a revolt and all their interest will be gone
Written by: Ed GOnzalez-Acosta, 14 Aug 2007 6:02 PM
From: Cabrera, M.T.S.
This is the wrong approach. The mining company & the Mining Agency need to produce INDEPENDENT prove that there won't be a negative impact on the local environment, economy, and society-- the residents should not have to prove that the venture will be deleterious to the environment.

What's the evidence that the mining company is using to justify their project?

THe lack of independent Assessment may be why Foreign companies find the DR such an attractive market!!!

Shame on Fernande
Written by: MrThelmo Almeyda Rancier, 15 Aug 2007 12:18 PM
From: Bogota N.J,.USA
To my understanding the US gvt. has been trying to get Samana
as a Carebbean fleet base and the DR gvt. has refused them .

There is no diference between UK and USA when it comes to
alliance ,proven in Las Malvinas in 1984 against Argentina. If you let one in, is like letting both Anglo nations in.

To tell the truth, once the British get a foot hole in ,you could never get them out . Take a look at Gibraltar Spain Guantanamo
Cuba.

They are looking for something else besides mining.
Written by: MrThelmo Almeyda Rancier, 15 Aug 2007 12:46 PM
From: Bogota N.J,.USA
The DR as a nation should cherish Samana Bay for tourism
and keep out cargo ships from using it . If the UK wants to invest in mining keep them away from harbors as lucrative as
Samana.

The Canadians are mining in the Island along with the USA but
inland ,so could the British.

It seems they are looking for a sea base .Open up your eyes Mr Octavio Lopez. Don't let the Britz fool you. They are known as canivers.. It seems to me Govr Elisa de Leon knows what tiger she is dealing with.
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