Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The Barrick operated Pueblo Viejo mine today reiterated its commitment to a fair resettlement process for the El Naranjo Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) in accordance with international best practice and guidelines. It also confirmed that during the entire resettlement process, Pueblo Viejo has engaged closely with the communities and will continue this open dialogue.
Pueblo Viejo has worked with the community in a cooperative and transparent manner with respect to the development of the host site, the construction of replacement houses and the livelihood restoration and community development programs. It has ensured public participation throughout.
However, the process has been negatively impacted by a small group of individuals who are, among other things, instigating the illegal blockage of public roads to serve their own economic self-interest. More specifically, they have demanded unjustified compensation payments for land and crops which have no reference to independent assessment of the applicable market rates. Through its actions, which include direct threats and intimidation, this group is violating the broader community’s rights and preventing the majority of community members, who have elected to continue with the resettlement and livelihood restoration process, from engaging with Pueblo Viejo. Although Pueblo Viejo has repeatedly engaged in good faith with those individuals to reach mutual agreement, they have continued to change their demands even after agreements have been reached.
With the continued blockages of public roads restricting access to the project area, law enforcement officers today are restoring access to the public roads. During the process some of the detractors continued their behavior, blocking public roads and preventing access, confronted the law-enforcement officers and threatened Pueblo Viejo contractors who have been engaged to perform the technical studies, forcing the officers to take action to protect persons and property. Law enforcement officers remain deployed to ensure public safety and prevent harm.
Pueblo Viejo continues to engage with the many law-abiding residents who are eager to continue working with the mine and who have already shown a willingness to accept the compensation packages and be resettled in the new host site offering new livelihood opportunities.
Barrick enquiries
Investor and media relations
Kathy du Plessis
+44 20 7557 7738
Email: barrick@dpapr.com
About Pueblo Viejo
Pueblo Viejo is located in the Dominican Republic, approximately 100 kilometers northwest of the capital city of Santo Domingo and is operated by Pueblo Viejo Dominicana – a joint venture between Barrick (60%) and Newmont (40%). Construction of the Pueblo Viejo project started in 2008, with first production in 2012. The company’s workforce is 97% Dominican. In 2020, the conversion of the mine’s Quisqueya 1 power plant to natural gas was successfully completed. This conversion from fuel oil to natural gas will decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 30% and nitrogen oxide by 85%, further reducing Pueblo Viejo’s impact on the environment. An agribusiness project is also planned as an additional benefit for the local communities.