2009-08-30

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.

2009-08-22

Mainry 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.

2009-07-17

Amethyst Update

NMG is pleased to announce a successful production season only 1 year after the initial discovery.
NMG apprentice explorer Fabien Ramahenina (Fafah) 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. Ramahenina'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.

2009-07-17

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.

2009-07-05

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 trees would have fallen in 2009. NMG is working with the Malagasy department of Forest, on the sustainability plan along with management of the resource.