A recent social media post by lawyer Juan Carlos Acosta Pérez has ignited speculation about a significant discovery in the Dominican Republic, El Nacional reports.
Acosta announced on Facebook the possible presence of high concentrations of yttrium, a rare earth element, in the Pedernales province. The potential find is located in the Fiscal Reserve Ávila, a stretch of land running from Cabo Rojo to the Sierra de Bahoruco.
According to Acosta’s post, samples collected in the area show yttrium concentrations of up to 3,000 parts per million (ppm). If verified by independent analysis, this would be an exceptionally high figure compared to known deposits worldwide. To put this in perspective, 3,000 ppm is equivalent to approximately 3 kilograms of yttrium per metric ton of rock.
In his post, Acosta cited engineers and technicians who have allegedly been involved in rare earth explorations in the country. He also mentioned the opinions of engineer José Sena, manager of Geology and Mines at Cementos Cibao, and engineer Miguel Peña, mining advisor to the Executive Branch. Both, according to Acosta, agree that the reported levels are noteworthy and could position the area as one of the richest in the Americas for these minerals.
The claims have yet to be backed by a statement from the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Yttrium (Y) is a highly valuable element used in a variety of high-tech industries.
Why yttrium matters:
• Electronics: It’s a key component in the phosphors and materials used in LED screens and televisions, enabling brighter colors and higher definition.
• Defense and communications: Yttrium is used in electronic components and radar systems.
• Medicine: The radioisotope yttrium-90 is a crucial tool in radiation therapy, used to treat certain tumors. Yttrium compounds are also found in medical lasers.
• Advanced industry: Its applications include resilient alloys and ceramics for the aerospace and automotive industries. Yttrium oxide is also used in superconductors and in renewable energy and power electronics applications.
Due to these many uses, rare earth elements like yttrium are considered strategically important in the global economy. However, their extraction and processing require complex industrial chains and pose significant environmental and economic challenges.
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El Nacional
27 August 2025