“That doesn’t contribute anything”: Congressman claims that in one year San Juan generates more than the Romero mine would provide in 8 years

Santo Domingo,- The deputy for the province of San Juan, Mélido Mercedes, expressed his rejection of the Romero mining project this Thursday and affirmed that mining exploitation does not represent real benefits for the province, but rather more damage than economic contributions. “That doesn’t contribute anything. That causes more harm than the benefits it can provide,” said the legislator, referring to the mining initiative that has generated debates in different social and economic sectors of the country. Mercedes also questioned the economic projections presented by the company responsible for the project, pointing out that the exploitation would have a limited duration and that the promised income does not compensate for the impact on the province. “According to what the mining company itself says, that exploitation will last seven or eight years and will contribute 326 million dollars to the province of San Juan. But 5% corresponds to me and they, as they are so generous, are going to give an additional 8%,” he expressed.

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The congressman assured that San Juan’s agricultural economy generates greater benefits in a sustained manner than those offered by mining activity. He indicated that the province produces around 28 thousand jobs per year and that this economic activity exceeds one billion dollars annually. “In just one year, what San Juan generates exceeds what they are going to grant it in eight years,” he stated. The legislator reiterated his opposition to the project and assured that broad sectors of the province reject mining exploitation in the area. “In short, we don’t want exploitation in San Juan,” he concluded.