By Ezequiel Abiu Lopez
Associated Press
A Canadian joint venture operating one of the world’s largest gold mines and the government of the Dominican Republic reached an agreement Friday to inspect the company’s exports, ending a standoff that halted a shipment valued at nearly $12 million.
The agreement between Barrick Pueblo Viejo and Dominican customs officials comes as the government tries to pressure the joint venture to renegotiate its royalty agreement and turn over more of its profits.
Customs agents detained the shipment of 6,000 ounces of gold and 30,000 ounces of silver on Wednesday at an airport in Santo Domingo. Fernandez said the company would not allow the cargo to be inspected, telling agents that the seals could not be broken until the shipment reached its destination. He also said some of the information on their documents appeared to be incorrect.