Esmeralda English Version ed

SECTOR
LABORATORY
From the agency’s Development
Group, Pardo details, “free areas
in the western emerald belt were
analyzed and priority was placed
on the municipalities of San Pablo
De Borbur, Muzo, Coper, La Victoria,
Maripí, Otanche, Pauna, Quípama
and Yacopí.” From this study,
29,386 hectares of free areas distributed
in 35 polygons were identified
for study by the Colombian Geological
Service.
In addition to this purpose of turning
informal miners into small and
medium-sized entrepreneurs, there
is another issue: working hand in
hand with large emerald companies
to review new opportunities that
go beyond extracting and exporting
gemstones.
The social model in
PUERTO ARTURO
Awarded by CDTEC
GEMLAB, there are
different types of
gemological reports.
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“If there is one thing we insist on
in this government, it is supporting
productive projects and companies.
But we also tell them: they must be
environmentally responsible. Some
have important social programs,
but ways must be found so that the
environment also benefits. It is also
about finding how to add value, generate
more wealth, more royalties
and new possibilities for progress in
the emerald region,” says Pardo.
This purpose of adding value is a
challenge that would promote local
work in productive chains around
emerald mining. This means supporting,
hand in hand with SENA, skills
involved with cutting emeralds and
even other precious stones.
And, in the not-too-distant future,
Pardo believes that local economies
in the mining areas of Boyacá and
Cundinamarca must be diversified to
support sectors such as tourism and
industries associated with the agricultural
sector. “Mining is a non-renewable
resource. Dependence on
the mining sector must be reduced
and sectors such as livestock, cocoa,
tourism, and others must be looked
at, as they are key to maintaining the
region’s activity,” he concludes. ◆
The most promising model that meets the government’s objectives
is what is happening in the Puerto Arturo mining company and the
community in Muzo. Puerto Arturo is the most famous and historic
mining community in Colombia. It is also implementing a progressive
social and environmental program that is in line with the government’s
vision for Boyacá and other mining communities.
Through its Muzo Foundation, Puerto Arturo is building partnerships
to support community organizations and empower citizens to
help build a new western Boyacá around a shared commitment to
sustainability, social responsibility, and the environment.
Puerto Arturo’s commitment to these goals has been recognized
worldwide. The foundation is promoting child education in western
Boyacá by investing in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts
and Mathematics), innovative teacher training, college scholarships
for high school graduates, a free health clinic, and in community kitchens
for elderly and vulnerable citizens.
Puerto Arturo’s projects reconnect the local community with the
land by offering sustainable and productive alternatives to mining. For
example, the “Grandparent’s Farm” project offers an agricultural alternative
for older adults and vulnerable citizens and a cocoa production
initiative has improved the options for greater productivity and quality
in cocoa cultivation, supporting the local association Asorcacao.
And, in the not-too-distant future, it is believed that local economies
in the mining areas of Boyacá and Cundinamarca should and
can diversify to support tourism and industries associated with the
agricultural sector, as is happening with the Puerto Arturo initiatives.
Successful Gemological
REPORTS
Issuing certifications or reports in
Bogotá has been in greater demand
around the country, which has led to
expanding the presence of CDTEC
GEMLAB in other areas of Colombia.
They turned to cities such as
Cartagena and Medellín to create
strategic points to install laboratories
that are made known to local authorities,
experts in the field and others
interested in the emerald trade.
“Sometimes it is quite wasteful that
people or jewelers from other parts
of the country have to bring their
pieces to Bogotá. Fortunately, we
can mobilize equipment and personnel
to other areas,” says Javier García
Toloza, CEO of CDTEC GEMLAB.
This strategy consists of locating a
temporary site for the scientific center
and receiving requests for certifications.
Then the gems are analyzed
by the mobilized professional team
that collects the information and the
main headquarters later delivers the
corresponding reports. “The reports
are sent days later,” he says.
According to information provided
by the Center for the Technological
Development of Colombian Emeralds
(CDTEC GEMLAB), over the
last year they went from selling or
issuing about 350 reports per month
to around 600. After Bogotá, Cartagena
and Medellín are the localities
with the highest requirement for the
three types of reports. All this thanks
to the credibility and professionalism
of its personnel, the technology used
over these two decades of operation,
and the market demand for this
type of gem that supports the commercialization
of our jewel, the Colombian
emerald.
“We are already scheduled to visit
Bucaramanga and Cali. That is what
we hope for, to be able to reach
those main cities to provide services
and increase the generation of
reports,” says García Toloza, who
reported a 30 percent increase in
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