Dominican Republic Mining Sector Posts Strong 2025 Growth, Boosts Economy

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic's mining sector concluded 2025 as a primary engine of national economic growth, driven by robust investment, increased exports, and strengthened community development, Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos announced.

Santos detailed how both metallic and non-metallic mining advanced significantly throughout the year, contributing to macroeconomic stability, quality job creation, and a rise in government revenue.

“The mining sector continues to represent nearly 2% of the gross domestic product (GDP), contributes approximately 7% of the gross industrial product, and remains the country's leading export category,” Santos stated.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in mining reached $420.6 million by the second quarter of 2025, marking substantial growth from the previous year. This positioned the sector as the third-largest recipient of foreign capital, trailing only the electricity and tourism industries.

“This performance reflects investors' confidence in the country's geological potential and in the institutional framework regulating mining activity,” the minister added.

Mining exports also demonstrated favorable trends. Gold exports alone surpassed $690 million between July and September 2025. By October, total sector exports hit $2.0873 billion, an impressive 42.2% increase year-on-year.

These robust results translated into higher public finances, with collections reaching RD 25.062 billion by the end of the third quarter — 109% of the target. Projections indicate total collections will exceed RD 30 billion by year-end.

Among the most significant social initiatives, Santos highlighted the formalization in June of a resettlement agreement for the expansion of mining operations in Cotuí, Sánchez Ramírez province. This agreement, reached through consensus with local communities, the Catholic Church, the Ombudsman, and the government, includes an investment plan exceeding RD 20 billion aimed at improving family quality of life and bolstering local development.

Larimar Mining Advances

Minister Santos also announced a significant transformation in artisanal larimar mining during 2025. A key achievement was the international recognition of the “Larimar Barahona” Denomination of Origin, registered with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under the Lisbon Agreement. This move enhances the protection, traceability, and global market positioning of the precious stone, which is unique to the Dominican Republic.

For the first time, artisanal larimar miners now benefit from collective life insurance, expanding social protection for those working in the Bahoruco municipal district of Barahona province. Simultaneously, control mechanisms and formalization of mineral trade were strengthened, promoting greater transparency and added value.

Official records show 303,912 pounds of larimar were extracted in 2024. By September 2025, extraction totaled 216,862 pounds.

“At least 50% of the extracted larimar remains in the country for transformation into handicrafts and jewelry, including processed and semi-processed pieces, contributing to the productive chain and invigorating the local economy,” Santos affirmed.

Larimar-related activities generate over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs in the mining zone, encompassing artisanal miners, support services, technicians, institutional personnel, and security forces. This solidifies its role as a vital development axis for southwestern communities.

Future Exploration and Legislation

Another strategic advancement in 2025, according to Minister Santos, was progress in the exploration of rare earth elements in Pedernales province. These resources are considered highly valuable for the global technology industry and energy transition. Ongoing studies will help determine existing resources and define reserves, a process anticipated for late 2026 or early 2027.

Concurrently, the National Congress continues its review and discussion of Mining Law No. 146-71. The goal is to modernize the legal framework, bolster environmental sustainability, enhance sector competitiveness, and ensure greater benefits for communities and the nation.

“With these results, the Ministry of Energy and Mines in 2025 consolidates a management approach geared towards a more modern, responsible mining sector linked to national development, laying the groundwork for new projects, greater mineral diversification, and the incorporation of technologies that will strengthen the sector's competitiveness in the coming years,” Santos concluded.