Miners at work in
Ilakaka. |
AFGHANISTAN & TAJIKISTAN
Ruby,
emerald, kunzite, pink sapphire, tourmaline, aquamarine,
lapis lazuli, spinel, kyanite and scapolite.
Currently gem production has been reduced due to government
regulations and political pressure. Ministries of mines
in both countries are attempting to free mines for privatization,
and allow export of gems and minerals from their countries.
Large parcels of smuggled Tajik rubies and Afghan emeralds
and rubies can be found in the Peshawar market. Gem prospects
in Afghanistan are very good and new deposits of rubies
and tourmalines have been found in Tajikistan.
ARGENTINA
Banded rhodochrosite in the
form of stalactites and stalagmites.
About nine tons of Rhodochrosite are produced each month
during the winter season, and 12 tons during each summer
month. Material is mined mostly by hand.
AUSTRALIA
Opal, sapphire, tiger iron,
mookaite, chrysoprase, petrified wood, magnesite, jaspers
and agate.
Opal is found in South Australia, New South Wales and
Queensland. Production sharply reduced due to either depleted
deposits or rising costs. Sapphires are found in Queensland,
Tasmania and New South Wales, where one company is marketing
pink, green and orange sapphires under the name of “Ellerston”.
The other gemstones are in demand worldwide and are exported
to Asia for processing.
BOLIVIA
Ametrine, an unusual form of
amethyst.
World’s only source of ametrine. Much of it was
sold under the trade name Bolivianite.
Ruby
roug (ICA). |
BRAZIL
Paraiba tourmaline, iolite,
including star and cat’s eye, emerald, hematita
alexandrite, aquamarine, quartz varieties include amethyst,
citrine, rose quartz, lemurian quartz, green-gold quartz,
topaz, fire opal, amber and agate.
Famous for Paraiba tourmaline. Hematite is the world’s
largest producer of alexandrite in terms of quality and
volume. In mid-2005, a new emerald mine opened, yielding
about 60 to 80 kilos of rough a month. The variety of
stones found in Minas Gerais is nearly inexhaustible.
CAMBODIA
Blue sapphire, corundum, ruby, zircon
and black spinel.
After 30 years of alluvial mining, most gem fields are
depleted. Pailin is, most believe, producing no more than
one acceptable single-carat blue sapphire a day.
CANADA
White opal, amethyst, peridot,
chrysoprase, emerald, ruby, sapphire, corundum, nephrite,
ammolite and diamond.
Well-established mining laws and organised natural resources
development activity. Bureaucracy can be an impediment
to rapid performance, but it is counterbalanced by ample
resources for investment funding for gemstone ventures
in both public and private domains. Half of all diamond
exploration dollars spent in the world in 2005 were spent
in Canada.
Aquamarine (ICA). |
CHINA
Sapphire, ruby, emerald, tourmaline,
aquamarine, garnet, peridot, turquoise, nephrite and bowenite.
Sapphires are widely distributed over 20 provinces. In
Shangdong province, there are reportedly 20 mines with
an annual production of up to three tons. Rubies are found
around Shagu, but are cut as cabochons because they are
heavily included. Availability of secondary deposit is
the key factor in the future of ruby mining in Yunnan.
Emeralds are found in south Xinjiang at more than 5,000
metres above sea level and mining is difficult. Tourmaline
finds are rare. Colour-change garnets are found only in
Xinjiang and Qinghai. Two Hong Kong-based companies are
involved in mining turquoise in Anhui province’s
two mines. Hundreds of tons are produced annually with
around 40 tons being of good quality. Xinjiang is the
most important locality in China for nephrite, this variety
being known as Hetian jade.
Brazilian Alexandrite
(ICA). |
COLOMBIA
Emerald, sapphire, corundum,
peridot and diamond.
There are a number of emerald mines in the state of Boyaca.
The Muzo mines, Puerto Arturo and El Retorno, have been
in production since pre-Colombian times. The government
has no involvement in the gemstone mining areas, its action
being limited to “renting” the land under
concessions to private operators. Licences are now granted
for a period of 50 years. State environmental laws have
officially phased out open-pit mining. Sapphires and corundum
are located in areas controlled by Marxist guerrilla forces
for decades. No significant production from this area.
There are alluvial diamonds in Yari, but it is a conflict
area with no land communication and no population apart
from local tribes.
CONGO
Tourmaline and red andesine,
a type of feldspar.
Ongoing war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
has made gem production sporadic. After DRC troops drove
out Rwandan troops in 2002, gems began to flow out. In
2004, approximately 20 to 30 kg of fine tourmaline was
estimated to have come out of the country.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Amber and larimar.
Santiago currently produces highly sought-after material,
although less is being produced every year. Current production
is estimated at 50 to 100 kg per week. This is a decline
of at least 70 per cent as compared to 25 years ago. Larimar
is retrieved through open-pit mining.
ETHIOPIA
Opal, agate, aquamarine, chalcedony,
chrysoprase, emerald, garnet, jasper, obsidian, ruby,
sapphire, spinel, amethyst, peridot and rose quartz.
In 2001, mining and quarrying accounted for less than
one per cent of Ethiopia’s $39 billion GDP.
GUATEMALA
Jadeite jade.
Last year (2005) was a disappointing one for gem miners.
The prospecting area of Sierra Motagua was devastated
by hurricanes. Artisanal prospecting by locals continues
though the country has been politically destabilised in
the last one year.
Alluvial mining in Sri Lanka
(ICA). |
HONDURAS
Black opal (boulder), andesite
crystal and nodule opal.
Significant opal in the mines. Not much mined due to strict
government regulations regarding the mining and exporting
of gemstones.
INDIA
Ruby, sapphire, emerald, diamond,
beryl, chrysoberyl (including alexandrite), brown sunstone
(feldspar), quartz (amethyst, rose quartz), rhodolite
garnet, hessonite, tourmaline, apatite, fluorite, diopside,
kyanite, idocrase, iolite, sillimanite, sphene, andalusite,
kornerupine, spinel and zircon.
Jammu & Kashmir: Known for blue sapphires.
The state mining corporation is currently exploring for
various stones in the Padar area.
Rajasthan: Best known for emeralds, but
there are other gemstones concentrated along the Aravalli
hills in a 250-km-long belt from Ajmer to Udaipur. Aquamarines
are also found in several areas.
Madhya Pradesh: Known for the Panna diamond
mines – the only active diamond producing centre
in India. Almost 50 per cent of the mined product is of
gem quality, generally ranging from 0.20 to 1.80 carats.
Star sapphires (Robert
Weldon/ICA). |
Chattisgarh:
De Beers has invested several million dollars in exploration.
Suggests a huge diamond reserve. The Indian Bureau of
Mines estimates a reserve of 1,304,000 carats.
Orissa: The
‘Brazil of India’. Major gemstone and diamond
belt. Everything from corundum, rubies, sapphires, chrysoberyl,
alexandrite, garnet, emeralds, stars and cat’s eye
is found here.
Andhra Pradesh: Mining majors, including
De Beers, are exploring the 2,858 sq km area for minerals
and diamonds. Chrysoberyl, alexandrite, cat’s eye
and rubies are also found here.
Tamil Nadu: Sapphires, corundum, rubies,
alexandrite, beryl, chrysoberyl cat’s eye, feldspar,
brown sunstone with a cat’s eye effect, labrodorite
and spectrolite are found here.
Karnataka: Well known for a continuous
supply of star rubies over the years. Diamond prospecting
is also ongoing here.
Kerala: Mainly chrysoberyl as well as
some fine qualities of cat’s eye and alexandrite.
IRAN
Turquoise, diamond and demantoid
garnet.
According to the country’s deputy head of geological
and mining exploration, Iran has rich deposits of gemstones,
including turquoise, of which the country has reserves
estimated at 8,000 tons. Iran’s proven total mineral
reserves have been estimated at 27 billion tons, and there
are 3,800 mines in the country. Between 15 and 20 tons
of turquoise are extracted annually and the 2005 export
is estimated to have been worth $50 million. In 2005,
demantoid production had been scarce and certainly not
over 50 kg in 2003-2004.
KENYA
Tsavorite, ruby, sapphire, chrome
tourmaline and corundum.
Tsavorite is still mined in the Tsavo region, which remains
the country’s chief gem mining area. There are a
number of areas all over Kenya which have a high potential
for major gemstone discoveries. There is also a promising
new ruby deposit producing stones in an undisclosed location.
LAOS
Spinel and sapphire.
The Ban Houay Xai sapphire mines trace their history back
to 1890. Dark blue sapphire has been mined commercially
since the 1970s. According to gemmologists who visited
the area in January 2006, all the mechanised mines have
stopped operating since the local people busy themselves
with agriculture.
Mining camp &
gravel washing: Madagascar |
|
MADAGASCAR
All gemstones are mined here
except tanzanite, diamond and jade.
Gem mining has occurred since 1900 and for the next 200
years or more there will be enough to pull from the ground.
The mining is decentralised. The World Bank reported that
“illegal exports of coloured gemstones range from
a minimum of $200 million to a maximum of $500 million.”
This is a significant figure, as it constitutes some 10
per cent of the country’s annual GDP. However, the
government, with international assistance, is seeking
to eliminate the problem and ensure that mining sector
‘beneficiates’ the local population and the
state.
Mining camp &
gravel washing: Madagascar. |
The goal of the World Bank, which has put in $32 million,
is to develop the country’s gem trade. The country
has a new mining code in place as of December 2005. It
has excellent licensing policies and is planning to improve
export regulations. There’s a huge void in marketing
Madagascan gems and therefore untapped opportunities.
MALAWI
Ruby, sapphire, aquamarine,
beryl, garnet, amethyst and rose quartz.
Gemstone mining is done on an artisanal basis by locals.
One exception is the ruby and sapphire mine at Chimwadzulu,
which is responsible for the bulk of the country’s
gemstone exports. Another mine at Mzimba, produces aquamarine
along with other stones.
Brazilian iolite (ICA). |
MEXICO
Fire opal, amber, amethyst and
demantoid garnet.
A majority of world’s fire opal is mined in Mexico.
The open-pit mines are up to 500 metres deep in some areas.
Amber is highly prized for its impressive colour, but
production remains limited, at about 200 kg per year.
Production of amethyst has drastically dropped because
of flooding at the mines five years ago.
MOZAMBIQUE
Aquamarine, tourmaline, garnet,
quartz (rose quartz, rock crystal, amethyst, dumortierite),
corundum, mostly ruby, chalcedony and scapolite.
Famous for its fair-to-excellent quality aquamarines,
the country has also found significant deposits of tourmaline,
similar to the Paraiba tourmaline. Organised and well-structured
mining takes place in the country. The government’s
poverty eradication policies have been key factors in
development of the mining industry. New mining legislations
are in place. More gems are being exported from the country
every year.
MYANMAR
Ruby, red spinel, yellow sapphire,
painite, peridot, yellow danburite, zircon, aquamarine,
tourmaline and jadeite.
Mainly small-scale mines. Production is scarce due to
difficult mining conditions, deeper mining and poor techniques.
Despite this, fine pink rubies were found last year. One
fine 7-carat Namya (naya) rough ruby sold for a record
$300,000 at the 2005 Myanmar auction, where reportedly
1,000 Chinese traders were present. The amount sold hit
a record level of almost $80 million in the 2005 gems
auction – the previous auction garnered $40 million.
Jadeite is the only really bright spot of increased production.
Sri Lankan spinel
(ICA). |
NAMIBIA
Diamond, amethyst, citrine,
tourmaline, garnet, topaz, aquamarine, heliodor, morganite,
blue lace agate, blue chalcedony, chrysocolla and pietersite.
Gemstone mining is carried out on an artisanal
basis. Annual production can be estimated at 500 tons
of rough. All mineral rights are ultimately vested in
the state, but ownership is with private individuals and
companies, which are protected by confidentiality laws.
At the same time, the government is making an effort to
use gemstone resources to combat poverty. The government
is committed to beneficiation in the industry. Serious
investors can obtain high-resolution maps for a fee from
the Geological Survey Directorate.
NIGERIA
Beryl (aquamarine, emerald,
heliodor, morganite), garnet (rhodolite and spessartite),
quartz (amethyst and citrine), sapphire, spodumene (kunzite),
topaz, tourmaline and zircon.
The government, in collaboration with the World Bank,
is implementing the Sustainable Management of Solid Mineral
Resources project, which will directly impact the artisanal
and small-scale mining and review mining laws to make
it investor friendly and globally competitive. Most gem
roughs are sold locally or exported to Europe, Asia, and
America. There is an umbrella organisation of gem producers
called the Gemstone Association of Nigeria, a national
body whose members are mainly miners of gemstones, gold,
tantalite and columbite.
PAKISTAN
Peridot, kunzite, aquamarine,
emerald, topaz, garnets, quartz, ruby, tourmaline and
Kashmir sapphire.
The mining industry is in its infancy. It is rudimentary,
unscientific, and illicit. The government has taken some
steps to remedy this situation, especially to ease mine
acquisition procedures. There is a lack of expertise and
skilled labour. Most gem material has been lost because
of indiscriminate blasting. Now the government has started
leasing out parcels of five acres each in the gem belts
to encourage people to mine. So far, under this scheme,
17 emerald, one peridot, two tourmaline, two sapphire
and seven ruby mines have been started.
Brazilian tourmaline
(ICA). |
PERU
Opal.
Production of blue opal is down, and pink opal is up.
An estimated 10 tons of pink opal is produced per year,
compared to 4 tons of blue opal. Only 10 per cent or less
of this blue opal is suitable for jewellery. The production
is low because of limitations of deposit and mining of
large quantities is sporadic at best.
RUSSIA
Malachite, amethyst, beryl,
rock crystal, topaz, agate, cornelian, chalcedony, jasper,
emerald, alexandrite, phenacite, amber, jade, demantoid
garnet, tourmaline, charoite, chrome diopside, aquamarine,
opal, lapis lazuli and nephrite.
Russia has mined gemstones since the mid 17th century.
Russia’s high-quality amber deposits are the largest
in the world. In 2003, Russia produced 200.3 tons of amber
and 67 tons of jade. As of January 2004, the Russian government’s
reserves officially contained 99 deposits of coloured
gemstones of 27 types.
SOMALIA
Amethyst, emerald, garnet, opal,
ruby, sapphire, feldspar and aquamarine.
The minerals industry makes only a minimal contribution
to the country’s exports and the economy in general.
Official data is unavailable due to political upheaval.
Mining of gemstones is limited due to a lack of modern
equipment, civil strife, and damage to the infrastructure.
The non-governmental organisation Progressive Interventions
is working with the government to exploit gemstone resources.
Sri Lankan aquamarine (ICA). |
SOUTH
AFRICA
Diamond, opal, emerald and sugelite.
The emerald mine started operating in 1995. Quality of
emeralds is low to poor. Coloured gemstone mining is small
scale.
A handful of Sri Lankan
geuda (ICA). |
SRI LANKA
Alexandrite, alexandrite cat’s
eye, amethyst, aquamarine, beryl, chrysoberyl, chrysoberyl
cat’s eye, citrine, garnet, moonstone, ruby, star
ruby, sapphire, star sapphire, spinel, tourmaline, topaz
and zircon.
The history of gem mining goes back to 2,500 years. It
is known as Rathnadeepa or the island of gems. Gemstones
are a natural resource that belongs to the state. Exports
touch $250 million a year. However, the mines are small
and their working very labour intensive with minimal mechanisation.
This, according to the authorities, creates employment
opportunities, including support industries. Large-scale
mining is not favoured so as to protect the environment.
It is expected that the known mining reserves will last
for another 100 years. Open-pit mining remains the rule.
TANZANIA
Tanzanite, tsavorite, ruby,
sapphire, alexandrite, aquamarine, chrysoberyl, chrysoprase,
emerald, garnets, kornerupine, moonstone, scapolite, spinel,
sunstone (feldspar), topaz and tourmaline.
The main gem is tanzanite. Production is steady, although
slightly lower than a few years ago. The country’s
mineral exports rose from $54.1 million in 1996 to more
than $185 million in 2000, topping $300 million in 2005.
Mines are usually operated by local, small-scale miners.
Large-scale mining includes the tanzanite mines, run by
the Anglo-Australian Company and large local investors.
The government is involved in beneficiation of the mining
sector. The country has progressive and modern mining
laws. Export procedures are smooth and the environment
is not being neglected. There is a working relationship
between the Tanzanian mining industry and wholesalers.
THAILAND
Sapphire, black-star sapphire,
ruby, tourmaline, garnet, beryl and spinel.
Gem mining is currently low but Thailand has transformed
itself into the world’s major manufacturing and
production centre for rubies and sapphires. About 70 per
cent of the world’s sapphire output and 90 per cent
of its ruby production pass through Thailand at some stage
on their way from the mines to the final customer. Along
with Sri Lanka, Thailand provides the best heat treatment
technology available for ruby and sapphire.
Amethyst (ICA). |
TURKEY
Diaspore (Zultanite).
This stone is unique to Turkey. The deposit is owned by
Zultanite Gems LLC. It uses traditional mining methods.
Reserve supplies seem promising.
URUGUAY
Agate, amethyst and citrine.
The supply of amethyst has held steady over the last few
years. Demand is high because of its distinctive deep
violet colour.
USA
Hiddenite, emerald, amethyst,
benitoite, tourmaline, peridot, red beryl, aquamarine
and andradite garnet.
On the mining side, little is happening. Hiddenite is
slow after a good year in 2004 as are North Carolina emeralds.
Little or low production reported for other gemstones.
Brazilian beryl (ICA). |
VIETNAM
Ruby, star ruby, sapphire, spinel,
tourmaline, topaz, quartz varieties, corundum, aquamarine,
zircon, nephrite, opal and cultured pearl.
Mining is alluvial and primary. Several illegal mines
operate alongside legal ones. The country is gaining recognition
for its cultured pearl industry.
ZAMBIA
Emerald, tourmaline, spessarite
garnet, quartz, aquamarine, diamond, sapphire, ruby and
amethyst.
The country is best known for its emerald deposits. Currently,
official Zambian emerald exports stand at $20 million
annually. However, smuggling remains a significant factor
and it is safe to assume that the value of emeralds existing
in the country is at least double the official amount.
Most of the official rough lands up in India or Israel.
Even at current levels, Zambian emeralds are 20 per cent
of the world supply and are sought after because of their
unique deep green colour. A World Bank report estimates
that Zambia could reap in as much as $830 million a year
from its gemstones. However, current annual recorded sales
are only in the $20 million range. |
