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Campos Verdes, in Goiás, produces up to a thousand kilos of emeralds per month, attracts Chinese partnership for local lapidary work and tries to transform its mineral wealth into jobs, certification, jewelry and new businesses
Campos Verdes, in northern Goiás, has only 4,000 residents, but produces 800 to a thousand kilos of emeralds per month and holds a deposit valued at 5 billion dollars.
City concentrates emerald deposit
272 kilometers from Goiânia, Campos Verdes is experiencing a new cycle of prosperity. Known as the “emerald capital,” the city has four mines in operation and eight areas under research.
Geological survey indicates more than 30 points with exploration potential. The estimate suggests that 90% of the emeralds remain underground, keeping much of the wealth unextracted.
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The stones extracted from the municipality go to China, India, the United States, and European Union countries, destinations that reinforce the international presence of Goiás’ production.
Partnership with China seeks local lapidary work
Earlier this month, a Chinese delegation visited Campos Verdes to formalize the cooperation protocol signed after a previous mission by the Goiás government to China in May 2023.
The partnership brings together the State University of Goiás and Huaqiao University. The goal is to create the first Lapidary, Testing, and Trials Laboratory.
Joel Sant’Anna stated that Goiás has large reserves of precious stones, but lacks an institution dedicated to gem cutting.
The laboratory is expected to enable local lapidary work with cutting-edge technology, increase added value, expand exports, and qualify the workforce. The forecast is to create 600 jobs.
Sant’Anna states that Chinese technology will bring lapidary work to international standards. International certification should be guaranteed by the laboratory.
Emeralds can transform Goiás into a jewelry hub
Campos Verdes is the only emerald-producing municipality in Goiás. The state goal is to transform Goiás into an international standard jewelry hub, using local production as an industrial base.
A Chinese jewelry company signed an agreement to produce in the state. The proposal is to cut the stones in Goiás and manufacture jewelry locally, keeping the most valuable stage of the production chain.
As a symbol of cooperation, local entrepreneurs donated gold and emeralds to the government to create an exclusive piece. Designer Carla Amorim produced a necklace with 15 emeralds, equivalent to 40 carats.
The piece has 200 grams of gold, is valued at R$ 400,000, and is on permanent display at the “Riquezas goianas” exhibition, at the Palácio das Esmeraldas.
A jewelry cluster was launched for training, certification, and market insertion. The expectation is to expand production and encourage formalized producers.
Licensing still hinders mining
Despite the progress, miners report obstacles to operating regularly. Most still operate without an environmental license, amidst expensive, slow, and difficult processes.
Thomaz Zuzarte, a mining entrepreneur for over 20 years, stated that documentation is time-consuming. He advocates for investments and unity among mine owners to create a strong cooperative.
Cleiton Roberto Souza points to the licensing of small-scale mining as the main barrier to growth. The Garimpeiro Mining Permit is valid for five years, but its renewal involves a bureaucratic and lengthy process.
Souza states that local mining does not reach the water table. For him, 80% of small-scale mining operates irregularly.
Despite its mineral wealth, Campos Verdes remains rich in reserves but poor in economic utilization. The entrepreneur cites a 10-carat emerald valued at US$ 120,000.
To change the scenario, the government is articulating authorization for an experimental period. The measure seeks to allow operation while small-scale miners obtain documents and comply with legal requirements.
Sebrae and the Superintendence of Mining have initiated the Geographical Indication process. The GI certification aims to guarantee traceability and authenticity for emeralds from Campos Verdes.
GDP grows and fair moves millions
Campos Verdes once reached 40,000 inhabitants at the peak of exploration. Today it has about 4,000, but recent numbers indicate an economic recovery linked to the mineral sector.
The story began in 1981, when a worker found the first emeralds with a tractor blade. He filled a bag with stones, disappeared, and spread the word.
After phases of boom and bust, the municipal GDP reached R$ 4.9 million in 2021. The result placed Campos Verdes in 13th position statewide, with growth exceeding 110% in three years.
The International Emerald Fair is an industry event. The 10th edition is scheduled for September 19-21, featuring the sale of legitimate pieces and visits to the production chain.
Visitors can follow the making of the jewelry, from the extraction of emeralds to the final product. There is also access to prospecting sites and mines up to 250 meters deep.
In “Dig and Pay,” tourists buy a shovel of schist and keep all the emeralds they find. The previous nine editions generated over R$ 90 million.
In 2025, the fair expects to generate over R$ 12 million in business. In the last edition, more than 40,000 people participated.
With information from Gazeta do Povo.
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