Las Pavas
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The Las Pavas, also called La Pava (Spanish: ''Mina La(s) Pava(s)''),Giuliani et al., 1995, p.154 is a Colombian emerald mining area that is neighboring
Colombia Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...
's largest emerald mine, Puerto Arturo. It is located northwest of the capital
Bogotá Bogotá (, also , , ), officially Bogotá, Distrito Capital, abbreviated Bogotá, D.C., and formerly known as Santa Fe de Bogotá (; ) during the Spanish period and between 1991 and 2000, is the capital city of Colombia, and one of the larges ...
in the western emerald belt of
Muzo Muzo () is a town and municipality in the Western Boyacá Province, part of the department of Boyacá, Colombia. It is widely known as the world capital of emeralds for the mines containing the world's highest quality gems of this type. Muzo is ...
, and about west of
Chivor Chivor is a town and municipality in the Eastern Boyacá Province, part of the Colombian department of Boyacá. The mean temperature of the village in the Tenza Valley is and Chivor is located at from the department capital Tunja. Economic ac ...
, which is in the eastern emerald belt. The mining area spans the municipalities
Quípama Quípama is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Boyacá, part of the subregion of the Western Boyacá Province. Climate Quípama has a tropical rainforest climate (Af) with heavy to very heavy rainfall year-round. It is ho ...
and
Muzo Muzo () is a town and municipality in the Western Boyacá Province, part of the department of Boyacá, Colombia. It is widely known as the world capital of emeralds for the mines containing the world's highest quality gems of this type. Muzo is ...
.


History

Colombia holds the world's largest resources of Class 1 emeralds, following that are
Zambia Zambia (), officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern and East Africa, although it is typically referred to as being in Southern Africa at its most cent ...
's and
Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...
's Class 3 emeralds. The
Muzo Muzo () is a town and municipality in the Western Boyacá Province, part of the department of Boyacá, Colombia. It is widely known as the world capital of emeralds for the mines containing the world's highest quality gems of this type. Muzo is ...
emerald deposits are situated in the western foothills of the
Eastern Ranges The Eastern Ranges is an Australian rules football team in the NAB League, the Victorian statewide under-18s competition. The club is a founding member of the competition (1992) and has produced several players for the Australian Football Leagu ...
of the Colombian
Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...
. They lie about by trail west of the village of Muzo in the Department of Boyacá, and embrace about eight great open cuts, closely grouped, occupying a portion of a steep walled valley, that of the Itoco, also called ''Quebrada del Desaguadero'', an affluent of the Minero River which empties into the northward-flowing Magdalena, the great artery of commerce for central Colombia. The emeralds occur at other points in the mountainous region of Boyacá, not only the Muzo locality has been productive but Coscuez,
La Pita La Pita is an emerald mine located in the western belt of the Colombian emerald mining area. It is owned and operated by the Colombian company, Zuliana De Esmeraldas Ltda. History La Pita is one of Colombia's largest emerald mines in Colombia, ...
, Chivor and Peñas Blancas have been highly active in modern times. The
Somondoco Somondoco is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Boyacá. This town and larger municipal area are located in the Valle de Tenza. The Valle de Tenza is the ancient route connecting the Altiplano Cundiboyacense and the Llanos ...
emerald veins and those of Coscuez are important
historically History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
and enjoy the reputation of being very rich. The total number of emerald localities in Boyacá has been stated to be 157 but this figure is probably a rough approximation. The emerald belts West and East are situated over a total of , current licenses and production are only focused on 9000 hectares. Moreover, up until the 1970s emeralds in South America were only known to occur in Colombia. Since the 1970s, Brazil (Class 3) has become a recognized producer of emeralds albeit of a lower quality than Colombia. It has been reported, in Colombia near Bolívar, Vélez, Department of Santander, and tradition points to the Manta Valley near Puerto Viejo in Peru as a source, but it seems probable that all the "Peruvian" emeralds came from the Colombian deposits. The Muzo emerald deposits are believed to potentially represent the single largest source of easily mined high quality emeralds in the world. Between January and September 2016, Colombia exported more than 279,000 cut carats of emeralds, representing an international market value of more than $ 107,000,000.Acelerarán producción nacional de esmeraldas
- Minería en Linea


Geology of Las Pavas

The Colombian emerald veins are located on the eastern and western flanks of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia and account for 70-90% of annual global supply. Although there are additional sources for emeralds globally, Colombian emeralds are characterized for their superior transparency. The Eastern Cordillera is located in the northern Andean orogenic belt in the central portion of Colombia and consists of
fold and thrust belt A fold and thrust belt (FTB) is a series of mountainous foothills adjacent to an orogenic belt, which forms due to contractional tectonics. Fold and thrust belts commonly form in the forelands adjacent to major orogens as deformation propagates ou ...
s that resulted from active compressional tectonics since the middle
Miocene The Miocene ( ) is the first geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about (Ma). The Miocene was named by Scottish geologist Charles Lyell; the name comes from the Greek words (', "less") and (', "new") and means "less recen ...
. Originally a large Mesozoic basin, the Cordillera is composed of
geological formations A geological formation, or simply formation, is a body of rock having a consistent set of physical characteristics ( lithology) that distinguishes it from adjacent bodies of rock, and which occupies a particular position in the layers of rock exp ...
comprising interbedded
sandstone Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized (0.0625 to 2 mm) silicate grains. Sandstones comprise about 20–25% of all sedimentary rocks. Most sandstone is composed of quartz or feldspar (both silicates) ...
s,
limestone Limestone ( calcium carbonate ) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of . Limestone forms whe ...
s,
black shale Shale is a fine-grained, clastic sedimentary rock formed from mud that is a mix of flakes of clay minerals (hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, e.g. kaolin, Al2 Si2 O5( OH)4) and tiny fragments (silt-sized particles) of other minerals, especiall ...
s and
evaporite An evaporite () is a water-soluble sedimentary mineral deposit that results from concentration and crystallization by evaporation from an aqueous solution. There are two types of evaporite deposits: marine, which can also be described as ocea ...
s. The perspective formations in the district are the
Muzo Muzo () is a town and municipality in the Western Boyacá Province, part of the department of Boyacá, Colombia. It is widely known as the world capital of emeralds for the mines containing the world's highest quality gems of this type. Muzo is ...
and Rosablanca, that are lithologically similar. These formations consist of sequences of limestones, shales, siltstones and sandstones of variable thickness. The Rosablanca unit is significantly thicker throughout the basin and contains a greater amount of limestone interbedded with shales. Emeralds are typically found in calcite-dolomite veins with minor
pyrite The mineral pyrite (), or iron pyrite, also known as fool's gold, is an iron sulfide with the chemical formula Iron, FeSulfur, S2 (iron (II) disulfide). Pyrite is the most abundant sulfide mineral. Pyrite's metallic Luster (mineralogy), lust ...
,
ankerite Ankerite is a calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese carbonate mineral of the group of rhombohedral carbonates with the chemical formula . In composition it is closely related to dolomite, but differs from this in having magnesium replaced by varyin ...
,
albite Albite is a plagioclase feldspar mineral. It is the sodium endmember of the plagioclase solid solution series. It represents a plagioclase with less than 10% anorthite content. The pure albite endmember has the formula . It is a tectosilicate. I ...
, and
quartz Quartz is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silica (silicon dioxide). The atoms are linked in a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon-oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall chemical form ...
. These veins are the product of intrusive
hydrothermal Hydrothermal circulation in its most general sense is the circulation of hot water (Ancient Greek ὕδωρ, ''water'',Liddell, H.G. & Scott, R. (1940). ''A Greek-English Lexicon. revised and augmented throughout by Sir Henry Stuart Jones. with th ...
fluids and
metasomatic Metasomatism (from the Greek μετά ''metá'' "change" and σῶμα ''sôma'' "body") is the chemical alteration of a rock by hydrothermal and other fluids. It is the replacement of one rock by another of different mineralogical and chemical com ...
fluid interaction followed by deposition in fractures that formed as a result of the tectonic activity in the belt. The metasomatic fluids appear to be derived from particular shale formations, which are likely the source of
vanadium Vanadium is a chemical element with the symbol V and atomic number 23. It is a hard, silvery-grey, malleable transition metal. The elemental metal is rarely found in nature, but once isolated artificially, the formation of an oxide layer ( pas ...
which is the cause of the vibrant colour characteristic and could be why only formations of a certain composition are perspective target horizons for emerald mineralization. Fluids flow along faults and/or fractures and are at least partially driven by pressure from thrust propagation. Through a drop in pressure, fluids are able to cool and crystallize forming the emeralds over time.Pignatelli et al., 2015, p.232 From observations of several of the mines in the area, the mineralization is favoured in the fractures within an alteration halo around large regional faults in particular formations. For example, where the Itaco Fault interacts with the Muzo Formation of Las Pavas, emeralds are formed.Branquet et al., 1999, p.597 Las Pavas is an area with unique mineralization and strong untested potential. The area is currently producing emeralds of a consistent quality and size. These emeralds are produced from a unique fold-hinge style of mineralization, not observed on other projects in the district, which is related to the Alto La Chapa
anticline In structural geology, an anticline is a type of fold that is an arch-like shape and has its oldest beds at its core, whereas a syncline is the inverse of an anticline. A typical anticline is convex up in which the hinge or crest is the ...
. Existing exploration accesses the unique mineralization on 4 different levels, demonstrating good continuity, this target remains open at depth. The untapped potential on the property is the of extent along the
strike Strike may refer to: People *Strike (surname) Physical confrontation or removal *Strike (attack), attack with an inanimate object or a part of the human body intended to cause harm *Airstrike, military strike by air forces on either a suspected ...
of the Itaco Fault, which represents the host structural corridor for potential mineralization, hosted in the correct Muzo Formation, as mined in the rest of the district.Ortega Medina, 2007, p.22


Muzo Formation

The Muzo Formation (K1m -
Hauterivian The Hauterivian is, in the geologic timescale, an age in the Early Cretaceous Epoch or a stage in the Lower Cretaceous Series. It spans the time between 132.9 ± 2 Ma and 129.4 ± 1.5 Ma (million years ago). The Hauterivian is preceded by the Va ...
-
Barremian The Barremian is an age in the geologic timescale (or a chronostratigraphic stage) between 129.4 ± 1.5 Ma (million years ago) and 121.4 ± 1.0 Ma). It is a subdivision of the Early Cretaceous Epoch (or Lower Cretaceous Series). It is preceded ...
age) is a unit outcropping in the sector of Las Pavas, Peñas Blancas, and Coscuez. It also appears in Vélez,
Chiquinquirá Chiquinquirá is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Boyacá, part of the subregion of the Western Boyacá Province. Located some 115 km north of Bogotá, Chiquinquirá is above sea level and has a yearly average temp ...
, and La Palma. The formation is present in the flanks of the La Chapa-Borbur anticlinal, also observed in the syncline of
Otanche Otanche is a town and municipality in Boyacá Department, Colombia, part of the subregion of the Western Boyacá Province The Western Boyacá Province is a province of the Colombian Department of Boyacá. The province is formed by 15 munici ...
, in the sector of Coscuez, in the region of Muzo and Calcetero, and also part of the
syncline In structural geology, a syncline is a fold with younger layers closer to the center of the structure, whereas an anticline is the inverse of a syncline. A synclinorium (plural synclinoriums or synclinoria) is a large syncline with superimpose ...
of El Almendro and forms the nucleus of the
Pauna Pauna is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Boyacá, part of the subregion of the Western Boyacá Province The Western Boyacá Province is a province of the Colombian Department of Boyacá. The province is formed by 15 ...
anticlinal. This unit houses most of the emerald-producing mines in the region, such as the Coscuez area, with additionally unexplored areas. The Muzo Formation is a generally calcareous sequence, however to the north of the Ibacapí Fault, it is observed to be
weathered ''Weathered'' is the third studio album by American rock band Creed, released on November 20, 2001. It was the last Creed album to be released until '' Full Circle'' came out in October 2009, with Creed disbanding in June 2004. It is the only Cr ...
, and its calcareous composition is not recognized. To the north of Pauna, it has a siliceous character. In general, it is composed of dark gray calcareous claystones with intercalated sandstone lenses and limestone concretions. The formation commonly contains pyrite and calcite veins. These siltstones are interspersed with sandy siltstones and quartz-rich sandstones. Towards the middle of the segment claystones occur and albitized limestone, at this level appear a
breccia Breccia () is a rock composed of large angular broken fragments of minerals or rocks cemented together by a fine-grained matrix. The word has its origins in the Italian language, in which it means "rubble". A breccia may have a variety of di ...
ted and mineralized zone with veins of calcite and sheets of oxidized sulphides. The upper part of the segment is interspersed with layers of gray claystones with layers of siltstones containing fossilized
ammonite Ammonoids are a group of extinct marine mollusc animals in the subclass Ammonoidea of the class Cephalopoda. These molluscs, commonly referred to as ammonites, are more closely related to living coleoids (i.e., octopuses, squid and cuttlefish) ...
molds. At the bottom of this unit is the La Marina mine and to the south the emerald mines of
La Pita La Pita is an emerald mine located in the western belt of the Colombian emerald mining area. It is owned and operated by the Colombian company, Zuliana De Esmeraldas Ltda. History La Pita is one of Colombia's largest emerald mines in Colombia, ...
, Consorcio, Totumos, Polveros and others. The lowermost calcareous package becomes thicker towards the south; as well as in the La 22 mine La Pita. The unit has a thickness of , and in the sector of Totumos and Polveros reaches in thickness. There, it is composed of intercalations of limestone (
micrite Micrite is a limestone constituent formed of calcareous particles ranging in diameter up to four μm formed by the recrystallization of lime mud. Flügel, Erik, ''Microfacies of Carbonate Rocks: Analysis, Interpretation and Application,'' Springe ...
) and sandy siltstones. The zone of hydrothermal breccias that is immediately above the calcareous rocks, in the Mine the Pita has a thickness of approximately and in the sector of the Totumos mine can reach up to . This unit in the area of Coscuez and Muzo presents emeralds, here its characteristic remains limestone in layers of calcareous siltstones, interspersed with calcareous claystones. To the south of the area, this unit presents similar characteristics.Ortega Medina, 2007, p.23 A stratigraphic column, logged along the La Palma-
Yacopí Yacopí is a municipality and town of Colombia in the department Department may refer to: * Departmentalization, division of a larger organization into parts with specific responsibility Government and military *Department (administrative divis ...
road and published in 2001, shows this unit is composed of a black terrigenous
marl Marl is an earthy material rich in carbonate minerals, clays, and silt. When hardened into rock, this becomes marlstone. It is formed in marine or freshwater environments, often through the activities of algae. Marl makes up the lower part o ...
with a solid appearance with black calcareous claystone intercalations. In the upper part, intercalations of black shale with gypsum flakes and abundant pyritic micritical concretions appear, some with ammonites.


Mining licence of Las Pavas

The Las Pavas concession agreement is active and registered with the National Mining Agency of Colombia (ANM). The title holders of Las Pavas have a 30-year exploration and exploitation license, this title granted the titleholder the exclusive right to extract the corresponding minerals and to conduct the necessary efforts to explore, exploit, process, transport and ship the relevant minerals.Certificación 1535
-
Ministerio del Interior The Ministry of the Interior (MIR) is a Spanish government departments, department of the Government of Spain responsible for public security, the protection of the Constitutional constitutional rights, the command of the Law enforcement in Spai ...


Safety and security

The safety of the mine is critical and is implemented by the owners EMPAVA S.A.S., operators and the National Mining Agency. All employees and visitors are obligated to wear safety helmets and steel-toed rubber boots on site. There is a visitors area to check in with security where it is made sure the visitor wears the safety equipment, also provided on-site. The mining region, despite its poor reputation, is actually safe and community orientated, the violence is now a faint memory of the past. Security in the mine is a collaboration between private security companies, the
National Police of Colombia The National Police of Colombia (Spanish: ''Policía Nacional de Colombia'') is the national police force of the Republic of Colombia. Although the National Police is not part of the Military Forces of Colombia (Army, Navy, and Air Force), it c ...
and the
National Army of Colombia The National Army of Colombia ( es, Ejército Nacional de Colombia) is the land warfare service branch of the Military Forces of Colombia. With over 361,420 active personnel as of 2020, it is the largest and oldest service branch in Colombia, an ...
. This presence provides for a very secure work place and community support, where by the police and military often participate in community social projects ranging from building homes, aqueducts and road maintenance.


See also

*
Colombian emeralds Emeralds are green precious gemstones that are mined in various geological settings. They are minerals in the beryl group of silicates. For more than 4,000 years, emeralds have been among the most valuable of all jewels. Colombia, located in nort ...
*
La Pita La Pita is an emerald mine located in the western belt of the Colombian emerald mining area. It is owned and operated by the Colombian company, Zuliana De Esmeraldas Ltda. History La Pita is one of Colombia's largest emerald mines in Colombia, ...
*
Muzo Muzo () is a town and municipality in the Western Boyacá Province, part of the department of Boyacá, Colombia. It is widely known as the world capital of emeralds for the mines containing the world's highest quality gems of this type. Muzo is ...
,
Chivor Chivor is a town and municipality in the Eastern Boyacá Province, part of the Colombian department of Boyacá. The mean temperature of the village in the Tenza Valley is and Chivor is located at from the department capital Tunja. Economic ac ...
,
Somondoco Somondoco is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Boyacá. This town and larger municipal area are located in the Valle de Tenza. The Valle de Tenza is the ancient route connecting the Altiplano Cundiboyacense and the Llanos ...
* Pre-Columbian
Muzo Muzo () is a town and municipality in the Western Boyacá Province, part of the department of Boyacá, Colombia. It is widely known as the world capital of emeralds for the mines containing the world's highest quality gems of this type. Muzo is ...
and Muisca emerald mining


References


Bibliography

* * * *


External links

*
Colombian Mining Agency
*
Mining Ministry of Colombia
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pavas, Las Emerald mines in Colombia Buildings and structures in Boyacá Department Colombian emeralds