Uruguay received 60,000,000 dollars from the export of amethysts in 2024
“We are taking another step towards valuing our natural resources and the work of our people,” said the Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, Elisa Facio, regarding the designation of amethyst as the national stone. He highlighted that about 2,000 people work in this industry in the north of the country and that, between January and August 2024, about 60,000,000 dollars entered Uruguay from its commercialization.
The declaration of amethyst as the national stone “is a significant moment in the history of the country,” said Facio, at the headquarters of the National Directorate of Mining and Geology, in Montevideo.
The leader was accompanied by the vice president of the Republic, Beatriz Argimón; the head of the aforementioned department of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM), Marcelo Pugliese, and the president of the Uruguayan Post Office, Ivo González.
Facio recalled that, in September of this year, the Legislative Branch declared amethyst the national stone of the country and, in this regard, he pointed out that the recognition not only highlights the natural beauty of this stone native to the El Catalán area, but also makes visible an industry that brings together some 2,000 people in the extraction, processing and sale of this product, especially in the department of Artigas, which contributes to the local and national economy.
The minister reported that the export of amethysts contributed, in the first eight months of the year, 60,000,000 dollars, which greatly exceeded the 22,000,000 received for the same concept in 2019. In that sense, she attributed this achievement to the improvements in the regulations processed by the MIEM, aimed at facilitating sales abroad and which gave added value and tax benefits to the export of industrialized stones. The interventions also contributed to professionalizing the industry, he said.
“By declaring amethyst a national stone, we are taking another step towards valuing our natural resources and the work of our people. This recognition serves to promote the protection and sustainable use of our mineral wealth, always with the commitment to respect the environment and the communities that depend on them,” considered Facio.
In turn, Argimón valued that amethysts contribute to the existence of Uruguayans as a nation and are linked to “our richest history.” He praised the role of the “committed society” in Artigas and, in particular, that of the heads of families, whom this industry supports.
After the oratories, the authorities postmarked the commemorative stamp created for the opportunity.
