NPR ventures into a Colombian emerald mine — which used to be more dangerous, with potential explosions inside and gunfights outside. The CEO, a... Inside the emerald mines that make Colombia a global ...

Job scarcity and the hope of striking it rich are driving women to pursue mining despite the grueling conditions. Colombian emeralds are highly valued globally, with the potential for significant ...

COSCUEZ, Colombia (AP) — Deep inside mountain tunnels where the heat is so intense it causes headaches, women with power tools are chipping away at boulders in search of gems. They have opened a ...

The world’s top producer of emeralds is eyeing investment in Colombia as the Andean nation quietly moves to put a stop in its faltering production and prevent a so-called “mafia war” from breaking out ...

Five centuries after Spanish conquistadors plundered the riches of Colombia, foreigners are returning to the country to mine emeralds near the mountain village of Chivor. This time around, the ...

Join us this April 27 for an exclusive event for donors. Our experts will share analysis and recent data, and answer your questions about projections for 2026. The death of one of Colombia’s most ...

MUZO, Colombia — Although he has helped transform Colombia's emerald industry, long a source of violence and environmental damage, former U.S. diplomat Charles Burgess admits that he got into the ...

Rocks retrieved from a mine in Muzo, Colombia, show some of what makes the country the biggest producer of high-value emeralds. (Carlos Saavedra for NPR) MUZO, Colombia — Although he has helped ...