Madagascar has been connected as an island many millions of years ago with the African as well as the Indian continent. Then there was a shift of the earth's plates and Madagascar detached from the large land mass. From a geological point of view, Madagascar today is a true El Dorado and offers a true playground of possibilities for researchers as well as mineral enthusiasts. The island is rich in various mineral resourceswhich are brought to light in painstaking work. Gold and precious stones, but also Graphite or titanium are to be found on the island.

Madagascar's soil is extremely rich in mineral resources and minerals and is considered to be the place where the world's most diverse minerals are found: chromium, bauxite, titanium, graphite, iron, nickel, mica, hard coal and crude oil are stored here in recoverable quantities and represent one of the country's most important resources. But also "high-carat", namely gemstones of all kinds, can be found in considerable quantity and variety. Madagascar is especially famous for its wealth of quartz and multicolored tourmalines, which used to be found in arm-thick sizes, as well as sapphires, which were discovered in unique quality south of Antsiranana and near Ilakaka south of Isalo-NP.

Practically almost all gemstones such as emeralds, rubies, beryls, citrines and allegedly even diamonds are hidden in the red earth. Famous among geologists are also the pegmatites of the island. These are huge granitic melt zones, which were pressed upwards from the earth's interior and cooled down very slowly in the course of the earth's history. Due to the long period of the cooling process, the different components of the melt could separate from each other especially in the fracture zones and are therefore found in pure, often crystalline form. Since in Madagascar the pegmatites often reach the hereditary surface, the mining of minerals is particularly easy here and partly possible in open pit mining. It is almost superfluous to mention that there are also considerable gold deposits: west of Antsirabe on the road to Miandrivazo you can watch the gold miners at work in the quartz-rich riverbed. A South African company is also prospecting for the yellow metal here. Other deposits are located at Ambatolampy and Antsiranana.

For mineral lovers Madagascar represents probably one of the most rewarding destinations at all. Nowhere else on the island (and probably on the whole world) is such a variety of minerals and gemstones offered as in Antsirabe - depending on negotiating skills still for relatively small coin!

Volcanism was very pronounced on Madagascar in earlier times: at Ankaizina in the north (south of Diego-Suarez), the traveler notices numerous, grassy and almost "classically" shaped volcanic cones. But also the Tsaratanana massif, Montagne d'Ambre and the Ankaratra Massif are of volcanic origin. In addition, there are numerous crater lakes and thermal water deposits. The most famous are in Ranomafana, in Miandrivazo as well as in Ampefy, west of Tana. Near Ampefy you can also find false geyserswhich, with their pleasantly cool temperatures, are popular excursion destinations for the local population. Madagascar's soil, rich as it may be, is barren: fertile soils that permit intensive agriculture are found almost only in regions of volcanic origin that also have sufficient rainfall. Very often a red clay is found. Calcareous subsoils are also not uncommon. In the highlands, the extremely lean stony raw soils are noticeable, which offer only very special plants sufficient support and nourishment.

Even Crude oil occurs in an eligible quantity. It is not just the quantities of the various Minerals and mineral resourcesthat make Madagascar so fascinating from a geological point of view, but above all the Diversity. In the following we would like to provide you with a lot of information about the geological nature of the island present and at the same time take a look at the numerous mineral resources of the island. If you wish, you can take part in your Madagascar vacation visit one of the various mines or gold digging sites or once over a so-called Gemstone market walk. We provide you with the necessary conditions for such a Trip and will be happy to advise you or, if you wish, also take over the Organization. After a Contact we will gladly get in touch with you.

Geological facts about the island of Madagascar

The Madagascar island Basically consists of a so-called bedrock, which is already numerous million years old. This bedrock consists of crystalline gneisses, quartz and mica schists. This mountain range is also interspersed with large granite and graphite inclusions. The soil on the island can rather be described as barren, especially in the dry regions of southern Madagascar agriculture is hardly possible. Especially the additional Soil erosion makes life difficult for the people on the island. In this context must also be the characteristic red laterite soil which also led to the island of Madagascar being called the "Red island" has helped. This laterite soil is basically a Weathering product, in which the rocks of the surface are slowly but surely decomposed. The Problem in Madagascar is that the thin fertile layer of earth above the laterite soil is slowly but surely being washed away because people are practicing too intensive agriculture. The laterite soil, in turn, is anything but fertile and, along with the little fertile soil, flows into the island's rivers and then into the Indian Ocean. Space travelers report that this looks from space as if Madagascar is bleeding. Also interesting from a geological point of view, are the Regions of Madagascar, the volcanic origin are. Numerous volcanic cones can still be discovered today in northern Madagascar, where the land is still fertile. Besides the Volcanic craters also testify to the various hot thermal springs of Madagascar's volcanic past. In Ranomafana or in Ampefy you can find these hot springs, which are a real attraction for tourists. On our Nature and theme tours we offer excursions to these sources, which can be enjoyed at a Madagascar vacation definitely recommend as a destination.

The mineral resources of Madagascar

In the introduction to this information section, it was already mentioned that Madagascar is exceedingly versatile when it comes to the stored mineral resources goes. Chromium, bauxite, graphite, titanium, iron, mica, nickel, hard coal and crude oil have been deposited under the surface and are practically just waiting to be extracted by man. The World demand for graphite is already covered to around 80 percent by Madagascar alone. In addition, the Gemstones such as multicolored Tourmalines or Sapphire of great importance. According to legends, even Diamonds under the earth of Madagascar can be found. Also the so-called pegmatites of the island are of note. These are igneous rock, which is very important especially for the extraction of rare elements and various minerals. As exciting and profitable as the geological aspects and characteristics of Madagascar are, so unpleasant are the effects of the Minerals Booms for nature and the environment on the island. The people operate through the extraction of the various minerals on a large scale Overexploitation of nature, which has numerous negative consequences in the long term.

Especially the uncontrolled clearing of the rainforestwhich are repeatedly occurring or being carried out across the board in this context, are dramatically damaging the delicate ecological balance on Madagascar. Therefore it is all the more important to protect the People in Madagascar to be able to offer alternatives, which could result, for example, from the fact that the Madagascans are recording increased revenues via tourism. These could then be invested in the Nature Conservation be invested or at least lead to less overexploitation of the Mineral resources of Madagascar would be operated. If you have any questions about this or any other information, or if you are already in the process of Madagascar vacation to plan, then feel free to contact us. With our years of experience and due to the fact that we live in Madagascar, we can offer you versatile assistance and thus help you to an unforgettable Trip to Madagascar help.