gems, beryl, emerald, Colombia

This official report to the Colombian Senate records the findings of a special commission appointed to investigate matters concerning the nation’s emerald mines, particularly the important deposits of Muzo and Coscuez. It examines the administration and exploitation of the government-owned mines, their economic importance, production and sale of emeralds, revenues and expenses, and problems associated with illicit extraction and trafficking. The report provides contemporary evidence for Colombian government policy toward the emerald industry at a time when the state was attempting to regulate production and protect the value of its emeralds, and is an important primary source for the history of the Muzo and Coscuez mines.