LOCATION AND ACCESS
The Fazenda Bonfim region lies west of Natal, the state
capital of Rio Grande do Norte, between the municipalities
of São Tomé, Caiçara do Rio do Vento, and
Lajes. The emerald deposit is located near the Bonfim
gold-tungsten mine(figure 2), at coordinates 05°50.45¢S,
036°07.10¢W and an elevation of ~420 m. From Natal,
the workings can be reached by driving about 95 km
west to Caiçara do Rio do Vento, then another 6 km
west on a paved road. A dirt track then proceeds about
18 km south to the mining area.