Dominican Republic's bauxite reserves to be searched for rare earth

Starting January, institutions like the National Geologic Service (SGN), the Higher Education Ministry and other universities from the US and Spain will be coming together to look for ‘rare earth’ ores in Sierra de Bahoruco in southwestern Pedernales province, as announced on Friday.

Bauxite, which is essentially the primary source for aluminium may also be rich in rare earth since they accumulate over carbonate rocks. Thus the deposits in this region has piqued the interest of many local and international mineral enthusiasts as these bauxite reserves may also hold rare minerals like uranium. The exploration of rare earth in the Sierra de Bahoruco’s bauxite may take four years of exploration researchers say.

The prospect of finding rare earth in the bauxite reserves can be a great boon for the Dominican Republic as it would then be recognized “as a source of high-tech metals”, said lead investigator Australia Ramírez.