Published Resources Details

Conference Paper

Author
Matich, Fred; Matich, Ivan; Mataga, Des
Title
Mining buried resin (Kauri gum) - an engineering perspective
In
16th Engineering Heritage Australia Conference: Conserving Our Heritage - Make a Difference!
Imprint
Engineers Australia, Barton, Australian Capital Territory, 2011, pp. 326-336
ISBN/ISSN
9780858258877
Url
https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.895290930943477
Abstract

Mining buried copal (the sap of the kauri tree known as "Kauri gum") is an important part of New Zealand's heritage. Kauri trees are ancient and are unique to New Zealand. Over geologic time, as the trees died and decomposed, the copal (resin) became buried. In the 1860s, the commercial value was recognized and mining was initiated. Initially the resin was used to produce the best varnish available at that time. However, this use required a purity of 97% and in 1910 a use for gum with purity as low as 70% was found in linoleum production. Kauri gum became one of New Zealand's leading exports. Mining of the resin has ceased. Little has been published on the engineering-related challenges involved in the mining operations, development of mechanical equipment, field processing and reclamation. The challenges were successfully met by the "Gumdiggers" without formal geological or engineering training. The paper is a tribute to pioneers in the Kauri gum industry in recognition of their contribution to one of New Zealand's important heritage events. It is presented from an engineering perspective by Engineers with first-hand knowledge of the industry.

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"... the rengitj, as a visible mark or imprint on the land, is characterised as a place of origin, the repository of all names, as well as a kind of mapped visual expression of the connection between people and places which is to be carried out in the temporal sequence of the journey." Fanca Tamisari (1998) 'Body, Vision and Movement: In the footprints of the ancestors'. Oceania 68(4) p260