Emeralds mines in Colombia

Muzo

Muzo’s exploitation areas are located between the towns of Quipama and Muzo near 900 and 1,000 meters above sea level. These have been exploited since before the discovery of America by the Muzos. It is estimated that the deposits of the deposits of Muzo and Quipama have a formation period of 3 million years.

Chivor

The emerald district of Chivor is “located to the southeast of the department of Boyacá, in the Tenza Valley region(…). It limits to the south with the municipality of Ubalá (Cundinamarca), to the north with the municipality of Macanal, to the east with the municipality of Santa María, to the west with the Municipality of Almeida and Guayatá, is located on the eastern mountain range 35 km to the northeast of Gachala.  The mines that were most recognized are those of Gualí, Chivor, Buenavista and Mundo New. “The Chivor mines are believed to have been discovered in 1537 in one of the explorations sent by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada” to Somondoco (today Chivor).

coscuez

Located a few kilometres north of Muzo, near the towns of Otanche, Santa Barbara and Saint Paul of Borbur. According to the Mina de Piedras website, these are characterized by “a geology of black carbonaceous sedimentary rocks crossed by veins of carbonates where emeralds are housed" and "a green colour with a certain tendency to green yellowish”, with good brilliance and inclusions like those of Muzo.

The lands where the Coscuez mine is located, do not have the mythological uniqueness of other lands such as Muzo, but thanks to its proximity, to the northeast you can see the hill “Fura”, which according to Muisca mythology, was in principle the first woman in the earth created by God “Aré”, and just in front, you can see the hill “Tena”, the first man. Fura, in violating the divine mandate of fidelity, and Tena after killing himself, were converted into these hills.

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