Puerto Rico’s Natural Resources: Minerals, Energy, Water, Forests, Coasts, Wildlife

Minerals

• Copper, Gold, Nickel, Silver, Zinc — undeveloped deposits (central mountains).

Energy

• Biomass, Natural Gas, Oil (imported), Solar (high potential), Wind (coastal/ridge).

Water

• Rivers (La Plata, Grande de Loíza), Lakes (Guajataca, Dos Bocas), Reservoirs, Aquifers, Desalination (growing).

Forests

• El Yunque (tropical rainforest), mangroves, dry forests (Guánica), cloud forests.

Coastal & Marine

• White/black sand beaches, coral reefs, bioluminescent bays (Fajardo, Vieques).

Wildlife

• Endemic birds (Puerto Rican parrot, tody), reptiles (coquí frogs), bats, marine life.

Management challenges: limited land, climate vulnerability, energy transition.