The Muzo Mine
The next morning, we headed for the famed Muzo Mine. Much ink has flowed about the storied past of this mine and its former owner, Victor Carranza. At one point he controlled 40 per cent of the nation’s emerald production, including the 500-year-old Muzo Mine his company, Tecminas, obtained in 1977.
In a way, the story of Muzo is representative of the changes occurring in Colombia. Near the mine are the remnants of entire mountains that have been sliced away by bulldozers at the hands of miners seeking the elusive gems. To protect the environment, all mining today is underground.
In 2009, with production falling, Carranza realized he needed to modernize Muzo. He sold half to a U.S.-based investment company, which formed MinerÃa Texas Colombia (MTC) to exploit the mine. As he neared death in 2013 from cancer, Carranza sold the remaining 50 per cent to MTC.
About this same time, Colombia’s government saw the need to transform its mining sector, which was largely run by non-regulated and non-taxpaying companies. It let it be known large foreign players were welcome, now and in the future. In addition to MTC, mining company Gemfields PLC entered Colombia with its purchase of 70 per cent of the Cosquez emerald mine and other mining rights in the area.
MTC’s injection of capital and technology modernized production at Muzo and helped establish a cutting and grading facility in Bogotá, thus ensuring transparency of its emeralds from mine to market. Workers are given fair wages, social benefits, and safer working conditions. MTC also has implemented various social initiatives to help the local community.
While violence in the mining area has diminished overall, Muzo has been attacked twice in the past two years, the latest incident in May 2015. From 1000 to 3000 people stormed the mine for two days until the police gained control. Industry watchers speculate losses ranged from $12 million U.S. to $42 million U.S.
We entered the Muzo mine area under the watchful eye of armed guards, with rows of barbed wire surrounding the various entrances. Inside the mine, we walked through a long ventilated tunnel to an impressive central shaft, Clavada, which descends 286 m (938 ft). The lift took us down 140 m (459 ft) to another tunnel and then to a 10-m (33-ft) descent down a steep rebar ladder that led to an area seemingly already mined out.
After lunch with the miners, we travelled five hours back to Bogotá, with most of the 100-km (62-mi.) trip spent slowly zigzagging among the steep cliffs on rough dirt roads. The tour was informative and a great way to learn about Colombia’s ‘Emerald Dreams.’
A 20-year veteran of the jewellery and watch industry, Cynthia Unninayar travels the world reporting on the latest trends, promising new designers, global brands, and market conditions. Her interviews with some of the industry’s top players offer insight into what’s new and what’s happening on the global jewellery stage.
