Extraction Of Sapphires, Madagascar

Madagascar's natural resources include a variety of unprocessed agricultural and mineral resources. Key agricultural resources include vanilla, lychees and shrimp. Key mineral resources include various types of precious and semi-precious stones, ilmenite and petrol. Several major projects are underway in the mining and oil and gas sectors that, if successful, will give a significant boost to the Malagasy economy. In the mining sector, these include the development of coal at Sakoa and nickel near Tamatave. In oil, Madagascar Oil is developing the massive onshore heavy oil field at Tsimiroro and ultra heavy oil field at Bemolanga. Mining corporation Rio Tinto Group began operations near Fort Dauphin in 2008, following several years of infrastructure preparation. The mining project is highly controversial, with Friends of the Earth and other environmental organizations filing reports to detail their concerns about effects on the local environment and communities.
• Infrastructure
The northern railway (TCE) is currently concessioned to Madarail. The southern line, Fianarantsoa-Côte-Est railway (FCE), is a parastatal line. The majority of "paved" roads outside the capital can no longer be considered so due to heavy use, erosion and lack of maintenance. Due to excessive rainfall in the regions land slides have depleted roads. Waterways of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Lakandranon' Ampangalana (Canal des Pangalanes) navigated by pirogue. Coastal inter-city transport routes, especially on the West coast. Ports and harbors are in Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara, Tôlanaro. The country's principal cargo port is Toamasina Autonomous Port.