ITABIRA
Itabira is a regional economic center, and hosts a thriving iron ore extraction operation headed by Companhia Vale do Rio Doce since 1942. VALE it is the second largest mining company in the world, and a considerable part of its iron ore output comes from the mines at Itabira. The city also host the Belmont mine, which has been producing Emeralds since 1978.
Itabira, city view.
VALE, iron mine.
Emerald
One of the most desired and sought-after stones of the world; emeralds are a variety of Beryl, green-colored and very much appreciated. Women feel tirelessly green with envy and passion for this godly stone and yearn to have it in their jewels since millennia before the timeless ages of Cleopatra. The name emerald comes from the Greek “smaragdos”, but its origin probably stems back to ancient Sanskrit which means “green”. To this mesmerizing gem have been attributed many magical powers: from healing to aphrodisiac and fertility virtues.
The only scientifically proven feature, though, happens to be female beauty augmentation: Not even Angelina Jolie could resist it!
Capoeirana Mine
The Capoeirana Mine is located in a mere four-hectare land lot near Nova Era and was discovered in 1988, and has ever since been producing the best emeralds mined in Brazil. Vertical tunnels and shafts have been built, some down to 100 meters deep, until they reach the so-called productive ore-rich rock or schist, which is extracted by cranes and manually washed for the production of rough emeralds. An “unmissable” jaunt for those who crave for old school mining.
Belmont mine
The most state-of-the-art mining and environmentally correct apparatus can be found at the Belmont Mine, which has been producing emeralds since 1978 and is located in the city of Itabira. The mining company is equipped with an optical emerald assorting/detecting system, which is capable of processing 4000 kilos of rough material per hour.