...In response to your letter dated May 4th 2021 in which you express concerns about Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo joint venture operation in the Dominican Republic, we would like to take the opportunity to present the facts and trust that you will afford us the time to do so....At Pueblo Viejo, which we operate, we were responsible for the largest in-country environmental clean-up, remediating environmental damage left by previous operations at the mine. Such actions have significantly contributed to the improvement of the environment and especially the water quality. We have also undertaken more than 600 projects for the benefit of the communities surrounding our operations which include investment in health, water and electrification...Despite the significant benefits that the country and other stakeholders have enjoyed following this investment in the country, Barrick and our joint venture partner, Newmont Corporation, have yet to earn back the money they have invested in the mine to date...Both Barrick and Pueblo Viejo are committed to operate in an environmentally and socially responsible manner with current and future generations in mind...We apply international best practice when it comes to protecting people and the environment and we are committed to executing all projects to international standards...Results are reported every six months to the Ministry of Environment. In addition, since 2012, Pueblo Viejo has invited communities to participate in quarterly environmental monitoring which includes water sampling and analysis by a certified laboratory…The tailings will be neutralized and go through a cyanide destruction process prior to deposition…Our dams are designed to be stable…We trust that the above information has made clear that our intention is to continue the social and economic development of the Dominican Republic...