Global gold and copper miner Barrick Mining Corporation has completed its fifty-ninth Participatory Environmental Monitoring exercise at the Pueblo Viejo gold mine, in the Dominican Republic.

This marks more than a decade of quarterly monitoring that brings together communities, academics, journalists, community leaders, authorities and other stakeholders to observe and take part directly in environmental monitoring around the operation.

The Participatory Environmental Monitoring programme is part of Barrick’s approach to responsible mining at Pueblo Viejo, and is recognised as a best practice for building trust among stakeholders through technical knowledge, transparency, and social dialogue.

Since its launch in 2012, the programme has given stakeholders an open forum to learn about and participate in the monitoring of key environmental parameters such as water quality, air quality and noise levels in the areas surrounding the mine.

A distinctive feature of the programme is the participation of Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo as an independent third party since 2021, which adds an academic perspective to the process. The university collects and analyses environmental samples, which helps to generate independent technical information and strengthen national scientific capacity in environmental monitoring.

During each monitoring session, participants accompany technical teams into the field to observe and collect samples, including sampling points where treated water from the operation is discharged, nearby rivers and other water bodies. The samples are then analysed at independent laboratories. Participants also take part in monitoring air quality and noise levels around the operation.

This field-based approach allows participants to see environmental monitoring in action, understand the parameters being assessed and put their questions directly to technical specialists.

“Long-term monitoring allows us to demonstrate the evolution of these water bodies through data, and strengthen an environmental management approach that is transparent and evidence-based. At Barrick, we are committed to being good corporate citizens, and conscientious and responsible caretakers of the environment," explains Pueblo Vijo sustainability and permitting lead Carlos Sánchez Alegre.