Narayan AmmachchiThe United States has extended its support to the Dominican Republic in extracting rare earth materials, a move widely seen as an effort to prevent China from capitalizing on the opportunity.
Rare earth elements are critical resources used extensively in electronic devices and military weaponry. The Dominican Republic is estimated to have over 100 million tons of these valuable minerals.
Discussions about rare earth materials had been minimal in the Caribbean nation until U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the capital last week. During a joint press conference with President Luis Abinader, Rubio emphasized the strategic significance of the discovery.
“It’s good news that a U.S. ally has access to such a rare and valuable resource,” Rubio stated, adding that Washington is prepared to assist the Dominican Republic rather than see it turn to China for support.
In a veiled reference to Beijing, Rubio remarked that it would be preferable for the Dominican Republic to collaborate with a trusted partner rather than seek assistance from a distant nation that is “neither an ally nor a friend.”
The rare earth reserves were identified by U.S. Army engineers working under a contract with the Dominican government. Action was taken six months ago. Recognizing the economic potential of the discovery, the country established Empresa Minera Dominicana, a new state agency dedicated to overseeing mineral extraction and exports.
The revelation of these significant reserves has sparked optimism among Dominican leaders, with some expressing confidence that rare earth materials could transform the nation’s economy, which currently relies heavily on agriculture and tourism.
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