Emerald is the green variety of a group of minerals collectively known as beryl. The shear beauty and rarity of the mineral are two attributes, which account for its immense value. Priceless emeralds have been highly sought after and collected by mankind for over 3000 years. Fabulous tales of emeralds of rare and pure beauty abound in ancient mythology.

In Zambia beryl was first reported from Miku (MT 3158) in the Kafubu Emerald Area of Ndola Rural by N.F. Dicks of the Rhodesia Congo Border Company in 1928. The first mining licence (M.O.399) for coloured gemstones was issued to Rio Tinto Financing and Exploration Company Limited in 1963 for the Miku. The area has now been divided into 10-hectare plots by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Department.