Mozambique is a vast country that is still an untouched area of Africa. It can be also said as a “Virgin” in the mineral excavation. In the same anticipation I took a trip to Mozambique in search of tourmaline.

Leaving Bangkok, I was informed the gemstone I’m looking for is close to a city called Nampula.

View Larger Map

A beautiful city with a lot of character and touch of the Portuguese control of the country. I met with some African who agreed to take to a place called Moyanee which was a 3 hours drive from Nampula into the mines. It was a wonderful time there and I was lucky to unearth some beautiful tourmalines. I spent 1 week at the mine looking for Tourmalines and also had some time to visit a new mine that they are working.

I asked the locals and they said the tourmaline currently coming are just dug 2 meters deep into the land and can find beautiful gemstones and if they are done in large scale a lot of tourmalines can be excavated.

Most people in the mining area are not well educated and cannot even speak Portuguese which will require a middleman to do all the talking for them, which in this case is a huge problem.

I returned to the city with lot of anticipation of return to Bangkok with these beautiful gemstones and was lucky to get back home safely without any trouble.

On our way to the mine there is no sign of urbanization. Just pure beauty of the nature and no internet or any other technology other than electricity in these area.

My transportation vehicle. A 4WD that could run on any terrain

My translator and bodyguard.

People are the mine are so happy to see me.