Environment Denies Mining Permit in the Northern Mountain Range

Santiago.- The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Armando Henríquez, categorically assured that the institution has not received or granted any exploration or mining exploitation permits in the Cordillera Septentrional, thus clarifying the concerns that have arisen regarding an alleged project in that area.

"We as the Ministry of Environment have not received any permit. We do not have in our records any exploration or exploitation permit for that mine," said the official when asked about the issue. Henríquez explained that the Ministry became aware of the project after the public denunciation made by Father Nino, pointing out that, if any initiative existed, it would be a preliminary phase that has not been formally submitted to environmental evaluation before the institution. "We found out about that project when the complaint was filed. It seems to be a very early stage. But we cannot go out and evaluate a request that has not been submitted," he specified.

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The minister indicated that, while the Ministry of Energy and Mines had received some initial communication, the Environment Ministry cannot initiate any technical process without a formal request submitted in accordance with current regulations. Modernization and digitalization of environmental permits During his statements, Henríquez announced as a premiere the entry into force of the new Standardized Terms of Reference (TOR), a measure he described as a transcendental step towards efficiency and legal certainty in environmental permitting processes. He explained that, until now, when a citizen or company requested an environmental permit, they had to go through a prior analysis process that included technical visits and a pre-categorization to define the terms of reference under which the environmental impact study had to be prepared. That procedure could take between four and eight months, and even up to a year, due to administrative weaknesses, lack of technical personnel, and a high volume of requests. With the modification of the regulations made in 2024, the possibility was created for applicants to directly deposit their environmental impact studies, eliminating the previous step that generated significant delays. "Now the citizen can enter the Ministry's website, identify the type of project —there are 68 different types of permits—, download the standardized terms and prepare their study according to those clear guidelines," he explained. As detailed, this will save time, money, and travel, both for applicants and for the Ministry's own technical staff, without implying a relaxation of standards.

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"The important thing is that we are not just standardizing. We have raised the levels and requirements to compliance standards of the highest in the region," he underlined. The minister highlighted that this transformation was worked on in conjunction with the internal team and specialized organizations, as part of the vision of converting the Ministry of Environment into a "smart and digital ministry". Minimum impact permits and clear rules for large projects Henríquez also reported that the minimum environmental impact permits can be managed through an expedited process, while complex projects will now have clear rules of the game regarding the technical requirements demanded. "From day one, I set the goal of ceasing to be the Ministry of permits and licenses, to become a ministry focused on implementing public policies for the protection of the environment and natural resources," he expressed. The official emphasized that this modernization seeks to strengthen transparency, legal security, and institutional efficiency, while maintaining technical rigor in environmental assessment. The strategic importance of the National System of Protected Areas The minister also took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP), pointing out that these areas guarantee 85% of the water consumed by the Dominican people. "85% of the water we consume, which is used by hotels, agriculture, our health, and human consumption, is generated in our protected areas. We call that ecosystem services," he explained. In that sense, he emphasized that the correct administration of these spaces is fundamental for the sustainable development of the country. Environmental restoration and lessons from the past Henríquez recalled that the Dominican Republic has achieved significant historical progress in environmental matters thanks to firm public policy decisions. He pointed out that in the 1970s the country had only between 9% and 11% forest cover, a situation that threatened to bring the territory to critical levels of deforestation. However, measures such as the closure of sawmills, the prohibition of extractive wood cutting, and the change in the domestic energy matrix —substituting coal for liquefied petroleum gas— allowed to reverse that trend. This was complemented by extensive reforestation programs that strengthened the country's forest recovery. The minister acknowledged that the restoration of degraded ecosystems remains a complex and challenging task, but assured that the country has shown that, with appropriate public policies, it is possible to protect and recover natural resources. A call for effective protection Finally, Armando Henríquez called on citizens and all productive sectors to make a joint commitment to environmental protection. "Recovery will only be possible by remediating, restoring ecosystems and strengthening our public policies. Development must go hand in hand with sustainability," he concluded. With these statements, the Ministry of Environment reaffirms its commitment to transparency, institutional modernization, and the effective defense of the natural resources of the Dominican Republic.