Muzo, a town in Colombia, is the largest producer of emeralds globally, generating substantial economic benefits, but grapples with severe environmental issues. The town's mining operations, both official and informal, lead to water pollution and land erosion, reflecting a deep-seated conflict between economic necessity and environmental sustainability. Informal miners, known as guaqueros, sift through discarded materials in search of gemstones, hoping to improve their livelihoods. Meanwhile, the territorial struggles between authorized miners and informal operators continue to exacerbate the region's ecological degradation while highlighting the pressing need for environmentally responsible mining practices.
We toil with the hope of discovering an emerald during our journey or amid the land supplied by the companies.
Muzo is known as the emerald capital of the world, contributing 55% of the global market with annual sales around $150 million.
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