Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo Remains Committed to Fair Resettlement Process
The Barrick operated Pueblo Viejo mine has said it remained committed to an equitable Resettlement Action Plan required to advance the development of the El Naranjo Tailings Storage Facility, which will help extend the life of the mine beyond 2040 while sustaining gold production above 800,000 ounces a year.
Barrick’s Dominican Republic country manager, Juana Barcelo, said Pueblo Viejo has been working closely and transparently with those community members who will need to be resettled, including on issues such as the development of the host site, the construction of houses, livelihood restoration programs and community development initiatives.
“We have conducted extensive engagement about this project with the communities for some time and we are committed to continue this engagement as the project progresses.”
The process has been affected after the resettlement working groups were dismantled and displaced by the Commission, who then assumed the position to started negotiating on behalf of the community, even though a significant number of groups from the communities has expressed that they do not consider said Commission to be their representative.
“This group has made demands that are inconsistent with international standards. These include resettlements for individuals who do not qualify, land and crop compensation that is not justified and hyper-inflating some valuations by close to 1,000% when compared to those presented by independent valuers,” she said.
In addition, Barceló said the group had also substituted the Resettlement Working Groups and some of the members promoted intimidation of landowners who had reached an agreement with Pueblo Viejo by, among other things, illegally blocking roads and limiting access to their land.
Despite numerous engagements, collective agreement with the group. Pueblo Viejo, in line with the IFC Performance Standards Article 13, is advancing options with the Government of Dominican Republic to pursue involuntary resettlement through national legislation.
“We remain committed to finding an amicable solution and to reach a fair agreement with all affected parties that adheres to applicable international standards and guidelines but doesn’t reward speculative opportunists,” she said.
