Larimar mines in Bahoruco

[minerva_feliz]

Just wanted to share some interesting and some sad information that I came across recently about larimar, that beatiful stone of the DR.

If you don't know what it is, here is an article:
Larimar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It's interesting because it talks about how it got named and first commercialized.

Here are some pictures I have taken at that small shop near the highway at the bottom of Casa Bonita:



At this shop, the guy has some neat designs, including one that looks like a leaf. And if you are going to be in the area for a while and have a design in mind, you can take it to them and they'll make it for you, assuming that their tools and experience can allow it. They don't even mind if you want to work on a piece yourself.

Some sad news...in the past WEEK, TWO YOUNG MEN, ages 21 and 23, HAVE BEEN KILLED working in the larimar mines near Bahoruco. One was electrocuted by lighting he was using underground, the other smothered in a collapse. Here are the articles about the incidents:
Muere obrero minero electrocutado dentro de un hoyo en la mina Larimar en Barahona : Cuatriboliao.Net
Muere obrero en la mina de Larimar en Filipina cuando realizaba labores de extracción : Cuatriboliao.Net

I think this is very sad. Many in the communities around Bahoruco depend on larimar as a significant source of income. They are obviously working in VERY PRECARIOUS conditions to mine the little blue stone that everyone loves to buy here. Most of the larimar in fact comes out of those mines. The profits made by selling it to Dominicans and tourists alike are obviously not going to make safety improvements in the mine. I am afraid that unless something serious is done, more will surely die.

I know there have been deaths in the past, but do not have the records or info. This really got my attention because it was two young people in such a short time. Something should be done before more lose their lives trying to make a living mining larimar...

[BPL888]

I believe I have been to that Larimar shop. We were able to watch him working the stones right next to the little store with the display cases near El Aroyo/Hotel Pontevedre. The stones were beautiful and the prices were less than half what they charge in Santo Domingo. I wish there was something we as buyers could do to promote mine safety. They offer tours of the mines but I don't think I would try it in light of the safety issues.

[pedrochemical]

It is a similar situation in the amber mines between Santiago and Puerto Plata.
I went in one of them owned by a friend of a friend and the mine was basically a hole in the ground with a few pit props.
I guess these guys know what they are doing as they have generations of experience, but as always on this island, health and safety were not the first concern.

It is the same with the fishermen on the north coast. No safety equipment but they have generations of experience so they tend to avoid trouble rather than react to it.

Bloody tragic story though.

[Marilyn]

I can safely say that there have been more than 15 or 20 deaths in the Larimar mines, I have spoken with many young miners in Bahoruco and they say that what happens is that sometimes these young men need money fast and go to the mines without taking the necessary precaution or don't go in groups. the mine needs to be "oxygenated" for some time before anyone can go down (more than 80 feet), sometimes they don't wait the necessary time before going down and since most don't have individual oxygen tanks when they go down they die by asphyxia, if they go by themselves or at hours when there's no one around, no one notices.

The case of the young man who was electrocuted is very isolated, it seems someone was careless with the electricity and he paid the price.

The mine is overseen by a local miner's association and I've heard that the European Community will help the association with modern safety equipment and making the mine more safe for them, they already sponsor a Larimar artisan school to help locals learn how to cut and polish the stone and set it in gold and silver, they do graduations every year and it's a great event.

What's the government doing about the mine? nothing

Do they care about these young men dying? No

[dms3611]

"What's the government doing about the mine? nothing"
"Do they care about these young men dying? No"

...I will enlighten you. The government, through the mining department, has on numerous occasions sent mining engineers and specialists down to these "mining associations" to discuss with the miners the non safe manner in which these activities of "mining" are being conducted (as previously described for larimar and amber and as currently conducted on the island) and how these activities of "mining" should be terminated. HOWEVER, there is NO WAY any of these guys will stop digging when they know its a way they can make money....especially when these operations tend to be on "family lands".

This type of mining activity does NOT make enough money to induce anyone to invest in a proper operation ...and even if it did, none of these miners would ever give up their "family property" to allow someone else to do it since they have the fear of being cheated out of what was "theirs". They know their risks...they see it as their employment...sometimes they pay the price of that choice. However, there is no way the govt. is going to send military/police forces down to protect these guys from themselves....and the moment they do will be the moment someone will post on this board that personal rights of freedom are being eliminated in the Barahona area.

[Marilyn]

Dear dms3611,

While what you say might make some sense, I resent your statement that I "don't know what I'm talking about" because, first of all, there's no need to be offensive, second, I am an "almost native" of Bahoruco since my grandmother lived there for more than 40 years until her death, my mother grew up there, my aunts were all born and raised there, and even though I was born in Santo Domingo and raised in SD and NY, I grew up spending my easter, summer and christmas vacations in Bahoruco and I know Bahoruco and its people like the palm of my hand. I have known the larimar stone even before it was called larimar and before anyone know the mine existed. As children, we picked it up at the beach and called it "piedra azul" (blue stone), we sold it to tourists for 50 cents a jar.

Thinking in retrospect, it is true that the situation is very complex, there is a long history of conflicts about who controls the mines and as you say, is a no-win situation for the government, but I still think some government agency should oversee the mine and ensure that it is at least kept in somewhat safe condition.

[minerva_feliz]

dms3611 - Thanks for your opinion and insight, but no need to insult or offend others.

I think both you and Marilyn offer to diverse yet interesting accounts of the issues with the mines. She knows the people and the community, you know some actions that were taken by the government and perhaps more technical knowledge.

I would like to know, what exactly was involved with the government's attempts at addressing the issues? You said they sent people down to "discuss". Preaching to poor, lesser-educated people about a better yet more difficult way to go about their livelihood doesn't work out so well. So just wondering if you knew more details about what it entailed, the time of execution, the budget more or less, etc.?

I would also like to know what is up with the European Union project that was mentioned (I had also heard about it) that I understood had to do with improving the infrastructure of the mines. Did that ever happen, or will it? Or is that getting confused with the artisan school that was installed?

Anyone know of similar mining situations in other countries, and how issues were addressed?

[dms3611]

"dms3611 - Thanks for your opinion and insight, but no need to insult or offend others".

No opinion...just fact. All our operations, all over the DR, have to do with mining. That is our business. There is no part of this country we don't touch when it comes to mining activities. My response was exclusive to the comment that the government does not care about these unsafe issues or the lives of these people. I have seen the direct evidence that they do.

As far as as your wanting to know about all the steps being taken...my suggestion would be for you to join the mining associations here in the country ....because it would take way to much typing time (especially with my typing skills) to adequately answer your question.

[minerva_feliz]

Just a few basic things that have been done with regular terminology would be helpful...if you can find a few moments.

The deaths of miners of Larimar has been pointed out, and no one reading (besides you) seems to know of anything specific that has been done about it. Lots of people on here either own Larimar or would be interested in buying it, and perhaps they care to know about where it comes from and at what cost.

I would like to know a few simple facts without having to join a mining organization...

[lara4228]

Wish I could offer something of value to add to this topic, but I have only been at the foothill of the mine. My husband and I went on our first vacation, and I choose DR because of larimar.

We rented a CRV and drove from Puerta Plata to the mine, hoping to drive up, but our vehicle was not good enough

I have read all the horror stories of how these brave men work.

I understand that the government 'should' become more involved, however, I also understand that these families do not want any more government ruling in their own yards.

How about starting a collection from every business purchase, keep it in an account and donate modern machinery, safety devices, etc. It may be a small notion, but not an unattainable one.

There is a HUGE demand for larimar here in the US and Canada. I used to be an avid rock and gem collector, which is why we went to the DR in the first place, because I knew that this beautiful pectolite could not be found anywhere else in the world. We are returning in a couple of weeks, November 12th to be exact and I plan on going back to the mine...only this time in a jeep.

Jack up the price, because once its gone from the mine its gone for life. And use a portion of this money to help save the men who risk their lives, only to make ends meet.

Lara