Copal Production
July 09NMG 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 NMGs 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.
| Author Biography |
| Copal Production By Robert Grant |
| Robert Grant |