The construction of a second tailings dam, two and a half times bigger than the first, by the mining company Barrick Gold in El Llagal, Cotu, could be fatal for more than 10 communities near the rivers, flora and fauna in the province of Snchez Ramrez. The warning comes from the American scientist Steven H. Emerman, who visited last week to study the case.
The expert says that the environmental impact study carried out by Barrick Gold for the tailings dam does not contemplate the risks of the project to human health, lives, nor the effects on roads, hospitals, schools and others a major incident occurring at the tailings dam could have on the communities.
The Dominican Observatory of Public Policies of the state university UASD, the National Space for the Transparency of the Extractive Industry (Entre), Earth Works, Mining Watch Canada and the Global Justice Clinic and NJU School of Law sponsored the visit of the well known mining expert.
(Someone from GQC should be jumping up this instant and explaining that their mining design is NOTHING like this! GQCs is absolutely safe to the environment and communities! GLTA!)