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Directly north of the road lies [[Isalo National Park]], which likely has large deposits of sapphires, but the area is nature protected where mining is not permitted. Most mining activity occurs directly south east of the main road.
Most The mining activity occurs directly south east of work is primarely carried out by Malagasy workers managed by small businesses and temporary resident dealers who come mostly from Sri Lanka and Thailand, where they bring the main roadrough stones for cutting.
The mining work is primarely carried out by Malagasy workers run by small businessesThere are various other smaller sapphire towns along the road westwards, with resident dealers mostly from Sri Lanka such as [[Antsotramadoro]] and Thailand where the rough stones are usually sent for cutting[[Sakaraha]].
There are various other smaller sapphire towns along the road south. Further information on Ilakaka, see the [[Madagascar Sapphire Rush]] article.