The Ministry of Energy and Mines has announced that in a landmark achievement for the Dominican Republic, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has granted the country the International Registration of the Denomination of Origin Larimar Barahona. This certification provides global legal protection for the semi-precious larimar stone, which is found exclusively in the province of Barahona, Dominican Republic.
The certification was officially received by Joel Santos, Minister of Energy and Mines, representing the Dominican government, from Salvador Ramos, director general of the National Office of Industrial Property (Onapi). With this, the “Larimar Barahona” denomination is now protected in 28 countries under the terms of the Lisbon Agreement, establishing a legal safeguard against misuse or appropriation of its origin by third parties internationally.
The registration, requested by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) and managed by Onapi, endorses the reputation, quality, and characteristics of this natural resource. Larimar was declared the National Stone through Law 296-11, which also established the “National Larimar Day” under Law 17-18.
Minister Santos stated: “This will provide a certificate of authenticity for this important Dominican product, the first to be registered under the Lisbon Agreement. This will help continue the growth of larimar production and export in the Dominican Republic,” stated Minister Santos.
He specified that from January to June 2025, the Ministry issued Export Non-Objection Certificates for 177,540 pounds of larimar, destined for China, the United States, India, England, Germany, and Italy. Economically, this represents approximately US$15 million, or around RD$800 million, in the first six months of the year. This figure doubles the exports from all of 2024, which totaled 95,480 pounds of the gem.
Santos explained that a Denomination of Origin (DO) is a type of geographical indication that identifies a product as originating from a specific place (a region or country), where its essential qualities depend on the particular geographical environment, including natural and human factors. Larimar meets all these criteria, which adds value to the gem, strengthens the Country Brand, and fosters local development, among other advantages.
Through the WIPO certification, facilitated by the Lisbon Agreement (an international treaty aimed at protecting product denominations of origin worldwide), Minister Santos noted that the organization recognizes the geological and cultural exclusivity of larimar. This recognition will lead to greater global exposure for the artisans and miners who work with this blue pectolite.
Minister Santos highlighted that the Comprehensive Safety and Health Plan for the Larimar Mine is under implementation by the Ministry of Energy and Mines. The primary objective of this plan is to improve the quality of life for workers at the mine, located in the Bahoruco Municipal District of Barahona.
Beyond its cultural impact, Santos stated that the industrialization of larimar has generated direct and indirect economic benefits for over 1,000 families in areas near the mining enclave in the southern region.
Among the safety measures implemented at the mine, Santos mentioned that the MEM formed an emergency brigade of 28 miners trained in rescue operations. Additionally, a medical unit with an ambulance has been installed in coordination with the National Health Service, with its inauguration scheduled for August 2025.
Furthermore, since 2020, the National Budget has included an annual allocation of approximately RD$15 million, which has funded the “Sustainable Development Plan for the Larimar Mine.” Santos also announced plans for a 3D modeling of all tunnels and wells in 2026, which will provide a detailed digital map of the mine.
Also present at the certification ceremony were Miguel Díaz, Vice Minister of Mines; Rolando Muñoz, Director General of Mining; and Golye Latoufe, Director of Mining Promotion.
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Ministry of Energy and Mines
24 July 2025