Rare Earths Agreement Reached Between the Dominican Republic and the European Union

The Dominican Republic and the European Union have agreed to promote scientific studies into rare earths, gallium and scandium found in karst bauxite deposits in the Ávila Mining Fiscal Reserve in Pedernales. The cooperation will proceed under criteria of sustainability, environmental protection and transparency.

The commitment took shape through a Joint Declaration signed at the Foreign Ministry by Foreign Minister Víctor "Ito" Bisonó Haza and the European Union’s ambassador to the country, Raúl Fuentes Milani. Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos Echavarría also attended the ceremony.

According to a press document, the initiative seeks to expand scientific understanding of the mineral resources and strengthen national technical capabilities before any potential projects related to their use are assessed.

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For the Dominican Republic, understanding our resources is the first step toward making good decisions about them. We need solid scientific information that allows us to assess their potential while ensuring that any future decision meets criteria of sustainability, transparency, environmental protection and, above all, the national interest.

“For the Dominican Republic, understanding our resources is the first step toward making good decisions about them. We need solid scientific information that allows us to assess their potential while ensuring that any future decision meets criteria of sustainability, transparency, environmental protection and, above all, the national interest,” Bisonó said.

The EU ambassador said the cooperation would go beyond financing the studies. “We want to help generate knowledge, transfer technology and strengthen capabilities” in the country, he said.

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We want to help generate knowledge, transfer technology and strengthen capabilities