CODESSD promotes national dialogue on mining

Santo Domingo.- The Economic and Social Development Council of Santo Domingo (CODESSD) held the panel “Mining: Progress or Conflict?“, a space that brought together representatives from the public sector, private companies, academia, and civil society, with the aim of fostering a frank and plural conversation about the present and future of mining in the country.

Peter Reid, vice president of CODESSD, stated that mining is an issue that “touches deep chords of our society” and that demands a clear answer as to whether this activity represents an engine of development or a focus of social, environmental, and economic conflict.

He highlighted the duty of civil society to act as a responsible watchdog of non-renewable resources and indicated the need to work with civil society on the perception that the Dominican population has of the institutional weakness of the State, the lack of transparency and the limited inclusion of communities in decision-making.

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“Estamos aquí para preguntarnos si queremos o no minería en el país. Y si la queremos, bajo qué condiciones, con qué reglas y con qué beneficios tangibles para nuestras comunidades”, expresó.

The panel was moderated by journalist Jaime Rincón, project manager at El Nuevo Diario, and addressed topics such as: the economic impact of mining and the distribution of the municipal 5%, the State’s oversight role in relation to large companies, the relationship between mining companies and communities, the country’s mining potential, and emblematic cases such as Rosario Dominicana and Falcondo, among other topics.

From CODESSD, the commitment to continue facilitating spaces for reflection that strengthen democratic governance and sustainable development in the country was reaffirmed.