Skip to main content

Medina caves to mining company pressure on park

President bows to Glencore pressure

PRESIDENT Danilo Medina buckled to lobbying by mining transnational Glencore Xstrata on Tuesday and vetoed a proposal to create a new national park.

The Loma Miranda National Park would have blocked the expansion of a nickel mine in the forested mountains in the centre of the country, where Glencore was seeking to expand its mining operations.

Mr Medina sent the measure back to the senate with a letter voicing “serious doubts” about the effects of the proposed creation of the national park.

He insisted that his veto did not indicate approval for mining at Loma Miranda and that the project would only be authorised “after they have completed all the required environmental impact studies.”

However, Glencore has previously threatened to close its Falcondo nickel mine in about four years if it is not able to expand to into the Loma Miranda area.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 9,899
We need:£ 8,101
12 Days remaining
Donate today