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Dominican Republic Mining and Energy Minister Tours Pueblo Viejo's New Horizons Resettlement Community

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Dominican Republic Mining and Energy Minister Tours Pueblo Viejo’s New Horizons Resettlement Community

July 20, 2025 | Sanchez Ramirez, Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic’s Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos, recently visited the New Horizons residential community, a flagship resettlement project developed by Pueblo Viejo as part of our commitment to sustainable community development in the Dominican Republic.

A group of officials and workers gather at a construction or infrastructure site. Several people wear high-visibility safety vests in orange and red with reflective stripes, while others are dressed in business attire including blue shirts. The scene appears to be at an official visit or project inspection, with industrial equipment and storage containers visible in the background among green vegetation.
Joel Santos, Minister of Energy and Mines (right), visits the New Horizons residential community with Barrick President and CEO Mark Bristow (left) and Lead Project Manager Tyler Bruce.

A Model for Sustainable Resettlement

Minister Santos toured the state-of-the-art residential community alongside the local Governor, Mining Director, and other Ministry officials from the Dominican Republic. The delegation experienced firsthand how New Horizons provides decent and sustainable living conditions for resettled families, representing a new standard in responsible mining practices.

The comprehensive community features include:

  • Modern residential housing designed for long-term sustainability
  • An advanced water treatment plant ensuring clean, reliable water access
  • Primary and secondary schools currently under construction, which will serve more than 350 students
  • Infrastructure built to support community growth and development

Recognition of Progress and Partnership

During the visit, the delegation commended Barrick Pueblo Viejo for the significant progress achieved on the project and praised the recent agreement that will continue advancing the resettlement process. This recognition underscores our collaborative approach to community development and our commitment to transparent, effective resettlement practices.

Following the site tour, Barrick President and CEO Mark Bristow shared comprehensive insights about the mine's broader impact, including:

  • Pueblo Viejo's substantial economic contribution to the Dominican Republic
  • Strong support for local vendors and suppliers
  • Job creation throughout the province, with 98% of our workforce being Dominican
  • Comprehensive environmental management practices
  • Community development initiatives
  • The significant benefits that both the country and surrounding communities will receive from our planned expansion project
     
Three men engage in conversation at what appears to be a construction site, with one man in a blue business shirt and sunglasses speaking with two workers wearing orange high-visibility safety uniforms with reflective stripes and hard hats. The setting shows a concrete structure under construction with a partly cloudy sky and rural landscape in the background.
Barrick’s approach to community development is collaborative.
An aerial view of the New Horizons residential community showing a well-planned neighborhood layout with dozens of small, single-story white houses arranged in a grid pattern along paved streets. The development includes community amenities such as a colorful basketball court and playground equipment. The community is surrounded by lush green agricultural fields and rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky, demonstrating the rural Dominican Republic setting near the Pueblo Viejo gold mine.
The New Horizons residential community.

Continued Commitment to Community

The resettlement program continues to move forward with individualized compensation packages presented to directly affected households. This personalized approach ensures that we implement agreed-upon outcomes that meet each family's specific needs and circumstances.

Since the official opening ceremony in March 2025, New Horizons has already welcomed 74 households into their new community, marking an important milestone in our ongoing resettlement efforts.