Tag Archives: mining

Madagascar: A gemologist’s journey (Placer gold locality)

Posted on January 12, 2015 by mrahm

About an hour outside of Ambositra in the country is a gold placer mining locality. In this placer gold locality miners use very primitive methods. It is said they find on average only .30 gram per day among all of … Continue reading →

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Madagascar A Gemologist’s Journey (Ambatonapetraka Tourmaline Locality)

Posted on October 15, 2014 by mrahm

Ambatonapetraka is a recently discovered weathered pegmatite zone with a very high concentration of tourmalines. Because it is such a recent discovery, the locals still have “tourmaline fever.” We are there on a Sunday, so fewer miners are busy working. … Continue reading →

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Madagascar: A Gemologist’s Journey (Sahatany Valley Pegmatite Field Part II)

Posted on October 13, 2014 by mrahm

My previous post I covered the first half of our day in the Sahatany Valley. I ended at the Estatoby dig where our group split up. I chose to continue on up the mountain. We begin the long hike up … Continue reading →

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Madagascar: A Gemologist’s Journey (Sahatany Valley Pegmatite Field)

Posted on October 10, 2014 by mrahm

Our day in the Sahatany Valley was a long one, so I’ll split it up into two consecutive posts. Sahatany Valley is of the most famous and productive pegmatite areas in Madagascar. This gorgeous valley is known for producing polychrome … Continue reading →

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Arizona Copper Mining

Posted on February 15, 2012 by mrahm

While at the Tucson gem show, my friends and I took a detour to Bisbee, Arizona known for its famous copper and turquoise mines. The day was fun yet educational. First, we took the commercial tour of the now-closed famous … Continue reading →

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