Santo Domingo.- Barrick Gold Pueblo Viejo operation spokesman Jorge Esteva on Tuesday announced the repair of the breach at El Llagal dam, damaged from a week of downpours.

“Thanks to the work carried out by the company’s team we’ve managed to lower the water level by more than five meters, which represents a normal energy level and allows us to assure that there’s no longer any risk around the dam’s structure," the executive said.

Esteva cautioned however that although the level is totally normal within the project, the water will continue to drain in a controlled manner to allow an evaluation of the damage.

He said in last few days the mining company had reduced the alert level after controlling the breach, but some preventive measures remain in effect to guarantee the area’s safety. “Throughout the situation the company’s priority has been one of safeguarding the physical and patrimonial integrity of the nearby populations, as well as of our employees.”

He added that the change in their internal alert status “shouldn’t be confused with the flash flood alert issued by Civil Defense and which remain in effect in other areas of the country.”