Energy Ministry: Larimar exports won’t reduce supply for Dominican artisans

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Energy and Mines said Sunday that exports of raw larimar do not reduce the supply available to Dominican artisans, noting that 60% of the gemstone’s production remains in the country while the remaining 40% is exported.

According to the ministry, the exported material consists of surplus production from Barahona’s mines that is not required by the local jewelry industry. It added that first- and second-grade larimar, prized for their intense blue color and high commercial value, are primarily reserved for Dominican artisans and workshops.

Officials also clarified that export statistics often include raw, semi-processed, and finished larimar products under the same tariff classification, meaning a significant share of export value comes from higher-value finished jewelry rather than unprocessed stone.

To strengthen the sector, the ministry announced the 2026 Larimar Miners-Artisans Direct Sales Fair, scheduled for August 21 at the Larimar Museum Workshop School in Bahoruco, Barahona. The event aims to connect miners directly with artisans and support the gemstone’s value chain.

The ministry warned that restricting exports of surplus material would reduce miners’ income, threaten the financial sustainability of mining cooperatives, and put hundreds of jobs at risk. It also highlighted improvements in mine safety and formalization, including better ventilation, electrical infrastructure, and safer working conditions.

According to the Directorate of Mining Promotion, the Dominican Republic produced 188,696 pounds of larimar during the first half of 2026.