Pueblo Viejo Project

The Project

Pueblo Viejo Dominicana Corporation (PVDC), a company jointly owned by Barrick Gold (60%) and Goldcorp Inc. (40%), is developing this large gold mine in the Dominican Republic. Located in the Dominican Republic, the former Pueblo Viejo mine site was operated by the Dominican government from 1979 until closing in 1999. During its 20 year lifespan, approximately 5 million ounces of gold and 22 million ounces of silver were mined from oxide deposits. However, the remaining sulphide deposits contain an estimated 16 million ounces of gold. In 2002, Barrick Gold was chosen by the Dominican government to conduct a feasibility study on the property which yielded a 25 year mine life.

Our Role

Rescan has been working on the Pueblo Viejo Project in the Dominican Republic for almost a decade. Rescan was contracted by Barrick Gold Corporation (formerly Placer Dome) to complete several Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) for the mine site and associated electrical power infrastructure that meet International Finance Corporation and Dominican Republic standards.

Rescan coordinated and designed the collection of aquatic, vegetation, wildlife, soils, and fisheries baseline data that were used in the ESIAs. Rescan scientists were supported in their work by local experts from various universities and scientific institutions.

Rescan also developed and implemented a hazardous waste management plan to facilitate the safe abatement of existing wastes present at the historical plant site and to ensure the appropriate long-term management of these historical wastes. Rescan staff members have been involved in waste sampling, asbestos removal, excavation of tailings spills, excavation of hydrocarbon contamination, cyanide removal, and medical monitoring amongst other activities. Rescan is also responsible for tracking material movement related to the QA/QC program both on- and off-site.