The Dominican Republic’s National Popular Coordinator (CPN) has accused Canadian mining companies of endangering one of the country’s most important ecological and agricultural regions, as growing public protests forced a suspension of the controversial Romero gold and copper project in the Cordillera Central. Activists warn that mining exploration and extraction permits granted to foreign firms threaten water resources, farming communities, and national sovereignty in a region widely known as the country’s “Granary of the South.”
The accusations target Canadian companies GoldQuest, Unigold, and Belfond Enterprises, all of which reportedly hold permits for exploration or exploitation activities in the Cordillera Central. The mountainous zone is considered vital to the Dominican Republic’s water supply and agricultural production, particularly for staple crops such as beans, corn, and rice.
Manuel Matos, spokesperson for the Coalition Against Mining, sharply criticised the government of Dominican President Luis Abinader for authorising mining concessions to foreign corporations. Matos described it as “implausible” that the government would place corporate interests above the interests of local communities and national sovereignty.
“Legal force must be given to the decision Abinader made,” Matos said, calling for a presidential decree that would permanently block the Romero mining project and prevent future exploitation in the region.
The Romero project proposed underground extraction of gold and copper in Hondo Valle, an area within the Cordillera Central considered crucial for the country’s environmental stability and food production. Environmental groups and local residents argue that mining operations in the region could severely impact rivers, forests, and agricultural land that support hundreds of surrounding communities.
Local media reports indicate that around 90 additional mining exploration requests remain pending across the region, while several existing concessions are still active. Community organisations have also accused mining companies of continuing certain operations despite public opposition and have denounced what they describe as intimidation and persecution against residents who publicly criticised the projects.
GoldQuest has defended its operations by promoting what it describes as environmental mitigation measures designed to reduce ecological damage. The company proposed the use of dry tailings technology intended to lower the risk of catastrophic dam failures, underground ventilation systems aimed at minimising surface noise, and the planting of approximately 67,000 trees in the San Juan River basin.
However, environmental experts and restoration ecologists argue that such measures cannot fully compensate for the destruction caused by large-scale mining activity. Scientists note that mature forest ecosystems, which provide water regulation, biodiversity, and soil protection, take centuries to develop and cannot be effectively replaced by young tree plantations established over a short period. Critics also point out that the life span of the mine itself is estimated at only around eight years before mineral reserves are exhausted.
Concerns have intensified further after reports that GoldQuest holds exploration rights for 14 nearby areas covering more than 209 million square metres close to the protected José del Carmen Ramírez National Park. Environmental activists warn that expanding mining operations near protected areas could place additional pressure on fragile ecosystems and strategic water sources.
The financial impact of the protests was felt almost immediately in international markets. According to journalist Valentín Ciriaco, the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization suspended GoldQuest’s stock listing on May 4 after the company’s shares fell by more than 19 per cent amid mounting public resistance and uncertainty surrounding the project’s future.
Despite the backlash, GoldQuest stated that it remains committed to what it called “responsible and transparent” development. The company said it would continue advancing its Environmental Impact Study while maintaining dialogue with authorities and local communities.
The dispute has rapidly become one of the Dominican Republic’s most significant environmental and political controversies, highlighting growing tensions across Latin America over foreign mining investment, natural resource control, and the balance between economic development and environmental protection.
