Mining expansion concerns in Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, concerns are mounting regarding the expansion of mining activities in the provinces of San Juan and Elías Piña. Reports indicate that 37 mining files are registered in the region, covering approximately 92,969 hectares of land for both metallic and non-metallic mineral exploration and exploitation.

GoldQuest is a primary actor in the region, holding 15 records that encompass roughly 19,339 hectares, including the Romero project. The Juan de Herrera project by Precipitate Gold is also situated adjacent to the Romero site.

Following a corporate presentation by GoldQuest in September 2026, the Environmental Commission of the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) issued an alert. The commission noted that the company describes the current cessation of activities at the Romero project as a “temporary pause” and is planning for future expansion. In response, the UASD has called for immediate action from the President and relevant ministries to safeguard water resources, local agricultural interests, and community rights.