Haiti’s copper and silver reserves in its hills are now up for an extensive exploitation by a Canadian corporation that has reportedly damaged the <br /><br />neighboring Dominican Republic.<br /><br />Once this mining plan is authorized while Haiti is under foreign occupation, it could practically leave the country without its ecological, cultural and mineral wealth.<br /><br />Moreover, concerns surrounding the mining venture have been raised as the operation calls for the construction of a deep-water port in the northeastern part of <br /><br />the country, posing a significant threat to their marine ecosystem.<br /><br />The biggest water reservoir that is near the mining operations is at constant risk of cyanide contamination, adding to the reports that the firm has been <br /><br />previously accused of destroying Indian archeological sites by using dynamites on mountain sand.<br /><br />Geologists of the United Nations have documented significant pockets of copper and gold in 1970s but at that time, foreigners were not willing to risk their money in <br /><br />an unstable and corrupt country.<br /><br />Surprisingly, it was not after the 2010 earthquake that outside investment was encouraged and investors discovered a good opportunity. In fact, just 2 weeks after the <br /><br />catastrophe, a Canadian exploration company purchased all the stocks of the only Haitian company which has full permits in exchange for an area of land, <br /><br />practically appearing as a scam.<br /><br />Three companies are already considering prospects of mining in Haiti but at present, only Somine has complete concessions to bring the metals out of the area. <br /><br />The said permits for 31 square miles were negotiated in 1996 during the presidency of Rene Preval and which required the company to hire Haitians.<br /><br />According to the parties interested in the mining prospects:<br /><br />“What we’re most excited about is that we found some silver which was never really realized before. It’s the first silver discovery in Haiti. Part of the reason why it <br /><br />was never really discovered was that historically there was so much copper prevalent — there’s a lot of outcropping at surface. The people who did the work before did <br /><br />not do much testing, even for gold. The geology is a little complex for a copper porphyry, but in a good way. The surprises that we’re getting are all good ones.”<br /><br />At the end of the day, if Haiti could have a good administration and honest mining companies, it is still possible for it to move forward, said Black Hawk Mining Bulletin <br /><br />Articles
