Spanish
Santo Domingo. - The artisanal miners of Larimar have, for the first time, a collective life insurance, an unprecedented achievement worldwide and which marks a before and after in the social protection of mining work in the municipal district of Bahoruco.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos, during the official event of National Larimar Day, held this Saturday in the community of Bahoruco, La Ciénaga municipality. Santos explained that this historic achievement is the product of a joint effort between the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the mining community itself, and Umbrella Corredores de Seguros, which will allow for guaranteeing financial support to families in the event of fatal accidents or risk situations inherent to mining work.You can also read: Inespre benefits hundreds of people with Producers Market and Food Route in La Altagracia and El Seibo
"Today, the larimar miner is more protected than ever," said the minister, highlighting that it is the first collective life insurance for artisanal miners in the world. In addition to insurance, Minister Santos listed important achievements made during the last year, noting that the sector is undergoing an "unprecedented" transformation both in the mine and in the value chain. He cited the tripling of export permits, specifying that export permits increased from 95,480 pounds in 2024 to 291,340 in 2025, an indicator that reflects greater formality, traceability, and control over the mineral trade. He detailed that larimar now has a presence in the markets of Asia, Europe, and America, which has increased interest, strengthening the international presence of Dominican larimar. First emergency response brigade Minister Santos said that a group of 28 miners completed specialized training in risk management and rescue, becoming the first community brigade prepared to act in emergencies within the mine. He also explained that the Ministry of Energy and Mines completed works expected by the miners for decades, such as kitchens and dining rooms, bathrooms, technical offices, a military detachment, as well as a control gate and guardhouse. "These improvements have raised the standards of safety, order and well-being in the work environment," he specified. Another announcement made by Minister Santos was the launch of the Primary Care Unit (UNAP) installed in the mine, to offer basic medical services to miners and nearby communities, reducing response times and strengthening health prevention. He explained that the UNAP is a reality today, thanks to an agreement between the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the National Health Service (SNS).First international certifications
One of the most celebrated achievements was the international registration of the Denomination of Origin “Larimar Barahona”, recognized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), under the Lisbon Agreement. Santos highlighted the fundamental role of the National Office of Industrial Property (Onapi) and its director, Salvador Ramos, whose technical and legal work allowed larimar to have global prestige protection today. During the event, the first certificates of origin were awarded to designers Fátima Polanco, Mónica Valera, and Gisselle Mancebo, strengthening the traceability of the final product. Plans for 2026 The minister announced four key areas to continue strengthening the sector next year: 3D modeling of the mine to improve safety and extraction planning, comprehensive formalization of trade, supported by the Denomination of Origin, a complete gemological study that will define international standards for larimar, and periodic direct sales fairs between miners and artisans, to guarantee fair prices and boost the local economy. During the day, the panel "Artisans and Miners" was held, moderated by the Director of Mining Promotion of Energy and Mines, Golye Latouffe, and the work of Emmanuel Gómez, Gabriel Feliz, and César Feliz, community leaders and artisans who have promoted the professionalization of the sector, was recognized. The activity was supported by institutions such as the ministries of Tourism, Culture, Environment, Infotep, ProDominicana, Promipyme, and the General Directorate of Mining. It also included an artisan bazaar, cultural presentations, training talks, and guided tours of the Larimar Workshop School, where Infotep has trained more than 1,000 artisans and jewelers, 40% of whom are women.
