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Directly north North of the road lies [[Isalo National Park]], which likely has large deposits of sapphires, but as the area is nature protected where , mining is not permittedthere. Most mining activity occurs directly south and east of the main road.

The mining work is primarely carried out by Malagasy workers who are managed by small businesses and temporary resident dealers who come mostly from , many of whom are of Sri Lanka Lankan and Thailand, where they bring the Thai or Chinese origin. The rough stones are usually brought to either Thailand or Sri Lanka for cutting.

There are various Various other smaller sapphire towns can be found along the road westwards, such as [[Antsotramadoro]] and [[Sakaraha]].

Further information on Ilakaka's mining procedures, see visit the [[Madagascar Sapphire Rush]] articlepage.