Aug 09
Optical Calcite update:
NMG is pleased to announce production underway at their Optical Calcite Claims. Earlier reports last year detailed the extreme environmental conditions limiting access to this fascinating new stone. NMG was contacted by the original claim beneficiary to assist with a security and transport problem. Since then, NMG has secured the deposit, acquiring more than 25 square kilometers of optical calcite mountains. Transporting the material is the biggest challenge. Previously this was a 3-day adventure, with material carried on heads, and 75% shrinkage along the way. NMG has forged a 15km trail to the south, which meets an impassible river. Transport boats are used to move the material down river 45km to the city of Miandrivazo. NMG’s president, Robert Grant, maintains that this new find will be one of more significant new materials offered in the Gem and Mineral industry. “Optically clean stones are rare and appreciated by not only connoisseurs and knowable collectors, but the general public. This material, when polished, not only exhibits the extreme double refraction typically found in clear calcite, but demonstrates an intense fire effect, a feature desired in faceted diamonds” . NMG is in the process of introducing their exclusive material to the jewelry manufacturing industry in China.
Aug 09
Mainry Mine (Labradorite Peacock Blue Mine), School update.
Back to school for Norcross students hit by their 2nd cyclone. In 2009, NMG rebuilt its Maniry-region school ...again. Total Labradorite production is exceeding 100 tons per month, with the majority of the material going to a Chinese firm.
July 09
Hematite. NMG Explorers are pleased to announce alluvial production from one of their iron / ore properties.
NMG Group holds [5] strategic ore reserves. The hematite has a beautiful metallic shine, once polished, and still exposes the natural crystal cavities
of this precious metal. Sample rough and finished products will be on show in the gem and mineral industry at the Madagascar Minerals Gem Show in Denver this Sept.
July 09
Amethyst Update:
NMG is pleased to announce a successful production season only 1 year after the initial discovery.
NMG apprentice explorer Fafa Rakotoako has spent many months on site, and detailed the NMG Amethyst “Line” outcrop. 2009 season’s production is projected to be 19 tons, and 2010 expected to yield 10,000kg per month. Details of the life of the deposit to be released shortly. NMG is proud of Mr. Rakotoako’s work, which includes management of the local miners, securing the amethyst gemstone, and property, and finally the transport of material back to NMG’s production facility in Antananarivo.
July 09
Amazonite Update.
NMG has been working with the local NGO to declassify an environmentally protected area for the last 8 months.
NMG is preparing to submit their sustainability proposal. The land in question is near rare endemic plants. NMG explorer’s maintain their proposed mining project is part of a greater buffer area, outside the area of protection. NMG lead explorer, Meme Rakotombi points out that NMG focus is on sustainability and includes local people in the greater picture, and as part of the “environment”. Mr. Rakotombi explains “we need to think about the local people equally as we do the environment. Too many international NGO’s come here to protect, protect and protect whatever they can. How can we develop, if everything is protected?” After the proposal is submitted, it will be voted on by various vested interests and government groups. NMG’s long term plans for the area include amazonite block (5-14 ton per block) excavation. However the land and no road access might limit the potential of this green gemstone feldspar to small block production (1-200kg per pc).
July 09
Copal Production.
NMG is pleased to announce production at their ancient copal forest. Copal is a hard resin exuded from a special coniferous tree. NMG miners dig in the ancient copal forests which includes alluvial recent to semi-fossilized (65% polymerized) insect-included resin. For thousands of years, ancient copal trees deposited copious amounts of resin to heal injuries sustained from the destructive forces of nature (like cyclones).
Branches typically would snap, exposing the phloem part of the tree which transports the resin. The resin would slowly flow in large “icicles” globing off the tree and fall to the ground, entombing leaves and insects along its path. Excavating in areas where trees once lived and currently live, exposes beautiful specimens. NMG operates a sustainability project, protecting the last living trees from poachers and traditional slash and burn practices - still common throughout Madagascar today. Without NMG’s sustainability and protection plan, the remaining tree’s would have fallen in 2009. NMG is working with the Malagasy department of Forest, on the sustainability plan along with management of the resource.
June 09 :
Prussian Blue Agate :
Not to be confused with NMG’s recent Blue Quartz/Agate material, NMG China facility is pleased to announce successful chemical treatment of their agate. Using translated secret German recipes dating back more than 120 years, from the famous gemstone region of Idar-Oberstien, Norcross Stone Treater’s have successfully changed grey banded agate into beautiful Prussian Blue Agate.
Idar-Oberstien is also the birth place of agate chemical treatment. NMG’s Gem Surface’s brand is now producing blue agate slabs (granite slab standard sizes), tiles and furniture. Madagascar Minerals will be offering all their customary polished products in blue agate. NMG’s Thierry Andrianarismasy started treatment of cut agate slices, however, due the slab polishing process, the penetration wasn't’t deep enough. After a few months of experimentation, Gem Surfaces succeeded at treating a full size, 400kg granite slab (agate gemstone) in one streamlined process. NMG claims this safeguarded technique to be the largest ever successfully achieved, on record.
Nov 08:
Sea Jasper (Orbicular Jasper) update. Production is back underway at NMG’s original Sea Jasper claim from 2000 near Analava (Ambolobozo).
NMG explorers discovered a totally new Sea Jasper find in July 07, but kept this exciting discovery secret until now. The entire region has been secured and production is underway.
The new find exhibits the best of the best material ever seen. The “orbs” appear much smaller in this new material. NMG will not disclose the details of this location for security reasons. 2000’s finds created a lot of excitement and with that interest came a host of security challenges. NMG is pleased to announce production in these two different regions. Photo below shows newly discovered exclusive NMG material.
Nov 08:
Optical Calcite
NMG is pleased to announce the discovery and acquisition of another new special material: Optical Calcite. The original claim was not found by NMG explorers. NMG explorers are working with the original mine owner to secure and develop a successful path to production, and exclusivity options. Although material is easily mined on location, the transport of material outside of the mine poses to be the real challenge. There are no access roads, and material is currently hand carried by knapsack, or on head, for 48 hours up and down treacherous mountain terrain. 60% of material carried out is lost along the way. NMG explorers have secured 40km2 around the original claim, and have verified material in NMG claimed areas. It will take at least 1 year to finalize the size of the claim. Theft of material is another big concern, which led the original owner to partner up with NMG to help secure the area. NMG will be showing the material this coming January at the 2009 Madagascar Mineral’s Gem Show, in Tucson AZ.
Nov 08:
NMG is pleased to announce the discovery of a new Petrified Wood area. This secured area will be used for excavating large log specimens. Rare green color is a feature of this find.
Oct 08:
NMG is pleased to announce the discovery a new material – Blue Quartz. NMG’s president Robert Grant said the color of the material is similar to a chalcedony called Blue Lace Agate, found in mainland Africa.
Grant added that this area will not be secured until after the sample material found demonstrates a commercial worth in the market. NMG will introduce the material this coming January at the 2009 Madagascar Mineral’s Gem Show, in Tucson AZ.
Sept 08:
NMG is pleased to announce the discovery of Amazonite block material. Acquisition of the new find might prove to be a challenge, as the area falls on the edge of an environmentally protected area. NMG team is working with the local NGO in the region to attempt to re-evaluate the protected region, as this area falls on the edge, and likely was over-extended buffer area. Norcross is a committed partner in protecting the delicate Malagasy environment, but it in the process of protecting sensitive areas, huge buffer zones were created to insure threatened areas would actually be protected - immediately. It was intended that these buffer areas would be sized-down wherever needed, after verification, that they are not indeed part of the sensitive region. Further details of the area will be released only after the area is successfully acquired.
July 08:
NMG is pleased to announce the discovery and acquisition of block Red Hemathoid Quartz near Tsiramandidy. This is a massive included quartz deposit with red iron inclusions. 36 sq km secured for research, while production in one proven area is underway. Blocks from 10-200 kg / per pc are currently being extracted. This mine is 20km south of NMG's Crocodile Jasper claim.
July 08:
NMG is pleased to announce the following test updates: TPL for sodium phosphate samples from Phosphorus Mountain: preliminary tests prove high in concentration -details released shortly; ore and ore oil soil samples have been submitted to NMG-affiliate libratory in Tucson AZ for testing concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, manganese and cobalt. Illmenite samples have been submitted, as well. Results released shortly.
July 08:
NMG is pleased to announce the production of Rhodinite from their original claim. Norcross never produced any commerical quantities of Rhodinite from their first mineral claim in 1996, near Ampanihy. An additional 36 sq km of property has been secured. Many new minerals found in the area include and are not limited to: agates, jaspers (chestnut), rose quartz, garnets, and tourmalines.
July 08 :
NMG is pleased to announce the discovery of and acquisition of a pyrite/iron quarry in the Moramanga area. Tests are underway to determine the commercial future of this property. Results will be released shortly.
May 08 :
NMG is pleased to announce the discovery and acquisition of a blue calcite quarry in the Ansirabe region in central Madagascar. Block production is underway, along with research to determine the economics of opening up the mountain for dimensional block mining, used for granite and marble industry.
April 08 :
NMG is pleased to announce the discovery and acquisition of a new quartz crystal deposit. This special quarry will produce eye-clean material grades in small quantities, along with #1, #2 and #3 quality clean crystal in larger quantities. This quarry is specialized only in clean material. Norcross's block quartz in other properties produce commercial quantities of quartz crystal.
April 08 :
NMG is pleased to announce the discovery and acquisition of a new rose quartz quarry. This quarry will only produce gemmy-red rose quartz, and facet grade rose quartz material. Red rose blocks available in smaller sizes, while cabochon and facet grade available only in smaller sizes. Norcross has 2 other rose quartz producing regions, for large commercial quantities, but none with deep red rose quartz color, nor facet grade material like this new quarry.
April 08.
NMG is pleased to announce the acquisition of the largest girasol mine in Madagascar. Details to be released soon. Material available from large blocks to clean cabochon sizes. Norcross plans to build and maintain a school in this region.
April 16, 2008 : Coverings Invitation
We would like to take the time to invite you to our booth 5398, this year at COVERINGS 2008.
April 08, 2008 : Gem Surfaces® Stone World magazine ad.
March 08.
NMG is pleased to announce steady production at their recently acquired Amethyst deposit near Ambatonrazaka.
Seasonal monsoon rains from Dec-Feb prevented the production from starting sooner. Gem, cabochon, and block are available.
Janurary 2008.
Norcross school in Maniry (Labradorite mine) hit by second cyclone (Hurricane Fame) in 2 years and destroyed. Construction quality is being called into question by NMG's president Robert Grant.
Plans to rebuild are underway. Temporary classes were even held without the roof, as other schools in the region suffered the same fate.
Dec 1, 2007.
Last week, after several failed attempts, Norcross Exploration & Exploitation SARL released the details on their latest find - Block Quartz. The region is found in Madagascar's North West side, north of Tsiroamandidy.
A large area (133 km2) has been verified and secured. NMG's head explorer, Romero Randirnaivo plans to double the size of the claim over the next year. Quartz varieties found include: block crystal quartz upto 1000 kg/pc, Smokey quartz, amethyst, girasol (milky crystal quartz), and included quartz. Samples of other gemstones discovered in the area include beryl, and tourmaline. Industrials and precious metals additionally found include: lead, ore, and gold. Norcross president Robert Grant explains the block crystal quartz boulders will be used make Gem Surfaces gemstone slabs, Gem Decor items (decorative items such as bowls, plates and furniture). The industrial grade quartz will be crushed for engineered stone slabs. he further adds, "From the material found, we have a market for every stone: the gemstone industry, stone industry (granite and engineered stone tiles and slabs), decor industry, with the lowest grade boulders even selected for gemstone designer garden rocks!"
Large quartz crystal boulders can be seen in NMG's latest find (top-right). Samples of nice amethyst-tipped quartz (bottom-left).
July 1, 2007:
NMG Explorers have verified their claim of (>93 km2) of agate fields. Additionally, they have discovered some new very interesting quartz varieties, chalcedonies, and jaspers! NMG miners have been sent in to secure the area, interface with the local villages, and to start working a another new stone.
Introducing Sunset Jasper. An exclusive NMG stone. The Second photo (below) is the same slice with back lighting. More special announcements to come shortly.
Jan 2, 2007:
Norcross Madagascar Group (NMG) announces their discovery of the gemstone Apatite. 7 squares (44 km2) have been acquired. Electric Blue, and Green Apatite have been extracted. Alluvial and primary deposits. Less than 3 gram size gem material available. Block apatite up to 20 kg per piece available. NMG has named this property Phosphorus Mountain, and is currently testing the region for a potential industrial phosphorous mine. Current testing includes Phosphate of Lime (TPL) concentration. Results not yet available.
Apatite and rock phosphate are valued mainly for their phosphorous content. These minerals, are mostly utilized for the manufacture of fertilizers. Phosphorous obtained from apatite and rock phosphate is utilized mainly for the manufacture of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) which in turn is utilized for the production of pure chemicals like sodium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, fluorine-free dicalcium phosphate as animal food supplement. Phosphate products are also used in pharmaceuticals, ceramics, silk, textiles, insecticides, sugar refining and in the manufacture of explosives.
NMG's Active Alluvial Blue Apatite Deposits (Above and Below), with Phosphorous Mountain in the background (Above).
(Above) Mica deposits are found with the apatite. (Below) Block gemmy blue apatite rough cut and polished into a heart shape.
