Dominican Republic halts GoldQuest project following protests
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has ordered a suspension of all activity at GoldQuest Mining’s (TSX-V: CQC) Romero gold-copper project after mass protests over environmental risks.
Thousands of demonstrators marched about 20 kilometres on Sunday through San Juan province to the Sabaneta Dam, a critical water source they fear could be affected by the proposed mine. Abinader said late Monday his government had “listened with attention, respect and responsibility” to those concerns and would halt all related work in the country’s west.
“When citizens express worries and concerns, our duty is to act with caution and transparency,” Abinader said, adding the project remains in the environmental assessment phase despite exploration concessions granted in 2005.
The suspension underscores mounting social pressure on mining projects in the Dominican Republic, where communities are increasingly weighing economic benefits against risks to water and agriculture in a country where mining contributes about 2% of GDP but competes with tourism and farming for land and resources.
GoldQuest did not immediately respond to MINING.COM’s request for comment after the order, though earlier Monday it said it acknowledged the demonstrations, adding it remained committed to transparent development.
The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization halted trading in the company’s shares midday Monday after a drop of more than 19%, with trading set to resume Tuesday morning.
Regional trend?
Local opposition remains firm. Ruben Moreta, a leader of a water protection movement, warned protests would continue without government action and said a broad cross-section of society joined the march, including teachers, doctors and farmers who fear potential contamination of farmland.
The move reflects a broader regional trend where governments are increasingly responding to grassroots pressure, as seen in Panama’s closure of First Quantum Minerals’ (TSX: FM) Cobre Panama mine following sustained nationwide protests, highlighting how social licence can decisively shape the fate of major resource projects.
Pueblo Viejo, Latin America’s largest gold mine owned by Barrick Mining (TSX: ABX) (NYSE: B), has been in operations in the country since 2012. The mine is undergoing an expansion project intended to extend its mine life beyond 2040.
In 2024, the Dominican Republic said it will create a state mining firm to explore and exploit the nation’s key mining resources, including rare earth minerals.
The Dominican presidency said in a statement that the state firm, Empresa Minera Dominicana SA, or Emidom, will explore, exploit and run economic viability studies on the country’s natural resources.
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