Mining expert, former national secretary of planning and former senator Ramon Alburquerque explained for the audience of Hoy Mismo morning TV program that mining of rare earth elements can be highly toxic to the environment. He proposes that if the research underway and the feasibility study conclude with a “go” for the exploitation of REE reserves in southwestern Pedernales that the area be cordoned off as a zero-contamination area set aside exclusively for rare earth mining.
Alburquerque says the mining can be highly contaminating, and was the reason why in 2002 a major rare earth element mining area in Mountain Pass, California was shut down after a toxic waste spill. The mine produced radioactive wastewater which leaked into the surrounding desert, causing environmental concerns and legal issues.
He suggested the Dominican operation be one of producing concentrated minerals, but not of separation of the metals. He suggested leaving this to companies that specialize in the product.
In the interview, he recalled how Alcoa had first exported bauxite from 1969 to 1983, with an estimated 20 million tons, most of which should have contained the today precious metals. But at that time there was not a use for the other metals in the bauxite. He explained the bauxite mine was closed in 1983 but at the time, he convinced then President Salvador Jorge Blanco to create national parks in the area, resulting in the Parque Nacional Jaragua and the Parque Nacional Bahoruco.
Several studies indicate the existence of the REEs in the southwestern area, and efforts are now to quantify the net reserves and the feasibility of the exploitation, most likely with private partners.
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Hoy Mismo interview with Ramon Alburquerque
7 Dias
DR1 News
13 February 2025