Authorities seek stronger regulations as Larimar reserves face depletion

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic is seeking to strengthen regulations governing the extraction of larimar, the emblematic blue stone found exclusively in Barahona, amid concerns that its natural reserves could eventually be depleted.

Michelle Marie Guzmán, director of Distinctive Signs at the National Office of Industrial Property (ONAPI), said larimar is a non-renewable resource whose protection is necessary to ensure its availability for future generations while minimizing environmental impacts.

A Regulatory Council, chaired by the Ministry of Energy and Mines and composed of several government institutions, oversees conditions for the stone’s extraction and commercialization. Guzmán said regulations also establish exploitation and environmental protection standards, as well as measures to protect mining workers.

The need for greater conservation comes as larimar’s commercial activity continues to grow. In the first half of 2025, the Dominican Republic exported 177,540 pounds of larimar, surpassing the 95,480 pounds exported throughout all of 2024, according to Ministry of Energy and Mines data.

Guzmán also highlighted the Larimar Barahona designation of origin, which received international recognition through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2025 and has been registered in 28 countries that are members of the Lisbon Agreement.

The designation aims to protect the stone’s name and origin while supporting miners, artisans and businesses in its value chain and expanding its presence in international markets, including the United States and China.

Guzmán stressed that the country’s pride in possessing the world’s only known larimar deposit must be accompanied by responsible management to ensure its long-term preservation.