Losing its sparkle: Colombia’s emerald capital weighs the cost of its precious stones

As big companies and informal miners blame each other for the damage to rivers and forests, mining risks long-term harm to those living nearby

The small town of Muzo, nestled deep in Colombia’s emerald-rich valleys of Boyacá province, is a place where the soil holds great wealth. Brick-red homes and tin-roof shacks cling to the mountainside, their bases resting on black sand and dark mud. Below, the Río Minero weaves through the valley, its waters tainted by the silt and debris of continuous excavation.

The region’s natural beauty is marred by scattered waste and discarded mining materials, evidence of an industry that supports the town’s economy – but also harms its environment.

Continue reading…