First, can you please give us an idea of the sort of work your team has done recently? 

CORMIDOM is the first underground metal mining company in the Dominican Republic and has stood out for its contributions to the development of the extractive industry in the country and for its operating model adjusted to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, with special emphasis on cleaner production, and in generating greater opportunities for women to enter a traditional industry such as mining. 

To achieve this, the support of the legal team has been essential, since it not only carries out the day-to-day operational work, which includes comprehensive support in the company, but is also responsible for managing the maintenance of all permits and carrying out the actions necessary to guarantee not only the operation of the mine but also its sustainability over time.  

The exploration concessions necessary for the future of the company were renewed and we negotiated access to the land to explore, this being one of the greatest challenges that every mining company faces. 

Additionally, the mine’s primary care unit was enabled, as well as the negotiation of the Collective Agreement with the Sitracema Workers Union. 

How do you stay up-to-date with changes in laws and regulations relevant to your organisation’s industry? 

We understand that the best way is to involve us in the changes. For this we maintain an active participation in the legal committees of entities such as the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP), the Dominican Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD), Dominican Association of Exporters (ADOEXPO), Association of Foreign Investment Companies (ASIEX) and the Chamber of Mining and Petroleum of the Dominican Republic (Camipe). Additionally, this gives us access to examine and participate in the analysis, monitoring and discussion of bills related to our industry. 

What is a cause, business related or otherwise, that you care about, and why? 

We advocate for the creation of greater job opportunities for women, with greater access to education as its axis. We are part of the managing committee in the Dominican Republic of Women in the Profession of the Vance Center of International Justice, an empowerment and leadership program for women lawyers, as well as supporting the Women Empowerment Principles in the mining industry. 

Another cause that we promote is the adoption of cleaner and more efficient technologies, which allow us to reduce emissions into the atmosphere and that is why we worked hard to ensure that CORMIDOM was certified carbon neutral by Climate Neutral Now, being not only the first company in the Dominican Republic in this initiative but also the first in the extractive sector in the world.