Natural resources of Madagascar
Oil, gas, minerals, forests and water in Madagascar: what it produces, how it ranks in the world, who mines it and what it earns. Every figure is from an official source and is updated when the source is.
Resource rents, share of GDP (2021)
5.5 %
Resources, share of goods exports (2025)
36.6 %
Forest, share of land (2024)
17.3 %
Source: World Bank; UN Comtrade; U.S. Energy Information Administration. Last checked 24 October 2026.
| Graphite | 80,000 | metric tons | 2 | 4.4 | 1 | 27,000,000 metric tons |
| Mica (mica (Scrap and flake): production) | 70,000 | metric tons | 2 | 20.0 | 1 | Not published |
| Cobalt | 3,900 | metric tons | 4 | 1.3 | 2 | 100,000 metric tons |
| Beryllium | 1 | metric tons | 6 | 0.2 | 3 | Not published |
| Rare Earths | 2,700 | metric tons | 7 | 0.7 | 1 | NA |
| Titanium Mineral Concentrates (ilmenite) | 300 | thousand metric tons | 8 | Not published | 4 | 30,000 thousand metric tons |
| Zirconium | 26 | thousand metric tons | 8 | 2.2 | 4 | 2,100 thousand metric tons |
| Mica (mica (Sheet): Mine production) | — | metric tons | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Mining and minerals
The U.S. Geological Survey records 33 mineral commodities with published production in Madagascar between 2018 and 2022, from metals and gemstones to industrial minerals and fuels. The table includes processed products such as cement and steel, which USGS reports alongside raw minerals.
Showing 33 of 33
| Chromium, mine, chromite | Metals | Not published | 109,200 | 76,126 | 12,400 | 13,500 | 18,300 | 2021: r |
| Cobalt, mine, Co content | Metals | Not published | 3,300 | 3,400 | 970 | 2,500 | 4,000 | 2021: r |
| Cobalt, refinery, metal powder | Metals | Not published | 2,852 | 2,897 | 833 | 2,111 | 3,428 | 2021: r |
| Gold, mine, Au content | Metals | kilograms | 3,000 | 2,100 | 1,500 | Not published | Not published | 2021: --; 2022: -- |
| Nickel, mine, nickel cobalt sulfide, Ni content | Metals | Not published | 39,000 | 39,000 | 12,000 | 34,000 | 42,000 | 2020: r; 2021: r |
| Nickel, refinery, metal, electrolytic | Metals | Not published | 33,183 | 33,733 | 9,874 | 29,285 | 35,737 | 2021: r |
| Monazite concentrate | Metals | Not published | 16,000 | 21,046 | 28,527 | 35,000 | 35,000 | 2021: r, e; 2022: e |
| Mineral concentrate, rare-earth oxide equivalent | Metals | Not published | 2,000 | 4,000 | 5,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 | 2021: r |
| Titanium, mineral concentrates, ilmenite | Metals | Not published | 381,924 | 448,185 | 499,768 | 582,000 | 545,000 | 2021: r, 3 |
| Zirconium, mineral concentrates, zircon | Metals | Not published | 22,757 | 29,473 | 26,029 | 23,100 | 26,800 | 2021: r, 3 |
| Beryl, beryl in quartz concentrates | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | Not published |
| Cement, hydraulic | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 130,000 | 120,000 | 150,000 | 150,000 | 150,000 | 2020: e; 2021: e; 2022: e |
| Kaolin | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 220 | 220 | 200 | 220 | 220 | Not published |
| Unspecified | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 60,140 | 35,651 | 15,438 | 14,000 | 14,000 | 2021: e; 2022: e |
| Fertilizers, ammonium sulfate | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 94,342 | 91,892 | 33,007 | 93,396 | 117,077 | 2021: r |
| Amazonite, ornamental | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 390 | 350 | 310 | 350 | 350 | Not published |
| Amethyst | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 140,000 | 180,000 | 160,000 | 180,000 | 180,000 | Not published |
| Calcite, ornamental | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 130 | 130 | 120 | 130 | 130 | Not published |
| Emerald | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 20 | 35 | 31 | 35 | 35 | 2018: r |
| Garnet | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 210 | 210 | 190 | 210 | 210 | Not published |
| Labradorite, ornamental | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 4,828 | 5,055 | 3,041 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 2021: e; 2022: e |
| Ruby | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 70 | 70 | 65 | 70 | 70 | Not published |
| Sapphire | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 2,100 | 2,100 | 1,900 | 2,100 | 2,100 | Not published |
| Tourmaline | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 120 | 120 | 110 | 120 | 120 | Not published |
| Graphite, crystalline flake, all grades | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 47,900 | 53,400 | 48,500 | 91,100 | 116,700 | 2018: r; 2019: r; 2020: r; 2021: r |
| Mica, phlogopite | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 48,763 | 33,585 | 68,694 | 56,118 | 52,556 | Not published |
| Pozzolan, pozzolanic material | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 35,129 | 55,380 | 29,686 | 27,000 | 27,000 | 2021: e; 2022: e |
| Quartz, crystal, industrial | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 26 | 29 | 53 | 56 | 127 | Not published |
| Salt, sea salt | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 110,000 | 110,000 | 120,000 | 120,000 | 120,000 | 2019: r; 2020: r; 2021: r |
| Limestone | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 190,455 | 183,625 | 147,551 | 140,000 | 140,000 | 2021: e; 2022: e |
| Dolomite | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 4,200 | 4,200 | 3,800 | 4,200 | 4,200 | Not published |
| Dimension, granite | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 2,103 | 5,847 | 8,756 | 4,692 | 10,299 | Not published |
| Petroleum, crude | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | thousand 42-gallon barrels | 20 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | Not published |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Yearbook, country tables. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Showing 48 of 48
| Cement | China Building Material Product | Plant at Ambohimanambola | Not published | Not published |
| Cement | LaFargeHolcim (Madagascar) S.A. (LaFargeHolcim Ltd., 90%) | Plant at Ibity | Not published | Not published |
| Chromium | KRAOMA Mining S.A. [Ferrum Mining LLC, 80% and Kraomita Malagasy S.A. (KRAOMA), 20%] | Mine at Bemanevika and three other mines | Not published | Not published |
| Clay | LaFargeHolcim (Madagascar) S.A. | Mine in Manjakandriana Region | Not published | Not published |
| Mine | Ambatovy Minerals S.A. (Sumitomo Corp., 47.7%; Korea Resources Corp., 40.3%; Sherritt International Corp., 12%) | Mine at Ambatovy | Not published | Not published |
| Refined | Ambatovy Minerals S.A. (Sumitomo Corp., 47.7%; Korea Resources Corp., 40.3%; Sherritt International Corp., 12%) | Refinery at Tamatave | Not published | Not published |
| Amazonite | Norcross Madagascar Group (NMG) | Mine in Amboasitra region | Not published | Not published |
| Amethyst | Norcross Madagascar Group (NMG) | Mine at Ambatondrazaka | Not published | Not published |
| Aquamarine | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mine at Tsaramanga | Not published | Not published |
| Emerald | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mines at Mananjary | Not published | kilograms |
| Garnet | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mines at Behara | Not published | Not published |
| Labradorite | Red Graniti Madagascar SARL | Quarry in Atsimo-Andrefana Region | Not published | Not published |
| Labradorite | Norcross Madagascar Group (NMG) | Quarries at Maniry | Not published | Not published |
| Labradorite | Societe Labrador Madagascar SARL | Quarry in Atsimo-Andrefana Region | Not published | Not published |
| Labradorite | SQNY International | Quarry in Atsimo-Andrefana Region | Not published | Not published |
| Quartz | Norcross Madagascar Group (NMG) | Mines at Ramaratina | Not published | Not published |
| Quartz | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mine at Tsaramanga | Not published | Not published |
| Ruby | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mines at Andilamena | Not published | kilograms |
| Sapphire do. | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mines at Ambatondrazaka Andranondambo, Andrebabe, Ilakaka, Manombe, Marosely, and Sakara | Not published | Not published |
| Tourmaline | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mines at Alatsinainuy Ibity | Not published | Not published |
| Gold | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Various locations including Isaka River | Not published | kilograms |
| Graphite | Etablissements Gallois S.A. | Gallois Mine near Tamatave | Not published | Not published |
| Graphite | Power Stand Development (H.K.) Ltd. | Mine in Atsinanana Region | Not published | Not published |
| Graphite | Bass Metals Ltd. | Graphmada Mine near Mahatsara | Not published | Not published |
| Graphite | Tirupati Graphite PLC | Sahamamy Mine in Atsinanana Region | Not published | Not published |
| Gypsum | Compagnie Salinière de Madagascar | Mine at Antsahampano | Not published | Not published |
| Mica | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mines at Ranopiso in Anosy Region | Not published | Not published |
| Mica | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mines at Ambatoabo in Anosy Region | Not published | Not published |
| Mica | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mines at Tranomaro in Anosy Region | Not published | Not published |
| Mica | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Other mines in Anosy Region | Not published | Not published |
| Mica | Groupe AKESSON Mineragrex S.A. | 5 mines in southeastern Madagascar | Not published | Not published |
| Mica | Societe des Mines d'Ampandranhava | Mine at Tolagnaro | Not published | Not published |
| Mica | Amboasary Mining Co. | Mine in Amboasary District | Not published | Not published |
| Mine | Ambatovy Minerals S.A. (Sumitomo Corp., 47.7%; Korea Resources Corp., 40.3%; Sherritt International Corp., 12%) | Mine at Ambatovy | Not published | Not published |
| Refined | Ambatovy Minerals S.A. (Sumitomo Corp., 47.7%; Korea Resources Corp., 40.3%; Sherritt International Corp., 12%) | Refinery at Tamatave | Not published | Not published |
| Nitrogen | Ambatovy Minerals S.A. (Sumitomo Corp., 47.7%; Korea Resources Corp., 40.3%; Sherritt International Corp., 12%) | Refinery at Tamatave | Not published | Not published |
| Petroleum, crude thousand | Madagascar Oil Ltd. | Tsimiroro | Not published | Not published |
| Pozzolanic material | LaFargeHolcim (Madagascar) S.A. | Quarry in Vakinankaratra Region | Not published | Not published |
| Commodity | Major operating companies and major equity owners | Location of main facilities | Not published | Not published |
| Rare earths | QIT Madagascar Minerals S.A. (QMM) [QIT Fer et Titane (Rio Tinto plc), 80%, and Government, 20%] | Mine at Mandena | Not published | Not published |
| Salt | Compagnie Salinière de Madagascar | Mine near Antsiranana | Not published | Not published |
| Salt | Grand Salines du Menabe and other companies | Menabe Region | Not published | Not published |
| Salt | Artisanal miners | Tulear Province | Not published | Not published |
| Dolomite | PROCHIMAD | Quarry in Amoron'i Mania Region | Not published | Not published |
| Granite | Granitex SARL | Quarry in Manjakandriana Region | Not published | Not published |
| Limestone | LaFargeHolcim (Madagascar) S.A. | Quarry in Vakinankaratra Region | Not published | Not published |
| Titanium minerals | QIT Madagascar Minerals S.A. [QIT Fer et Titane of Canada (a subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc), 80%, and Government, 20%] | Mine at Mandena | Not published | Not published |
| Zirconium | QIT Madagascar Minerals S.A. [QIT Fer et Titane of Canada (a subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc), 80%, and Government, 20%] | Mine at Mandena | Not published | Not published |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Yearbook 2019, Madagascar. Last checked 24 October 2026.
What natural resources earn
Natural resource rents were 5.5% of GDP in 2021, with forests and timber the largest part. That ranks Madagascar 33rd of 54 African countries. See all 54.
View the data as a table
| Period | Oil | Minerals | Coal | Forests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.0 % | 5.7 % |
| 2011 | 0.0 % | 0.3 % | 0.0 % | 5.6 % |
| 2012 | 0.0 % | 0.3 % | 0.0 % | 6.4 % |
| 2013 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % | 0.0 % | 6.2 % |
| 2014 | 0.1 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 7.1 % |
| 2015 | 0.1 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 8.5 % |
| 2016 | 0.1 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 8.7 % |
| 2017 | 0.1 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 7.5 % |
| 2018 | 0.1 % | 0.3 % | 0.0 % | 4.7 % |
| 2019 | 0.1 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 4.6 % |
| 2020 | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 5.6 % |
| 2021 | 0.1 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 5.4 % |
| 2022 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2023 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2024 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2025 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2026 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Forest, share of land (2024)
17.3 %
Arable land, share of land (2024)
5.2 %
Renewable fresh water per person (2022)
11,072 m³
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Method and sources
Oil, gas and coal output and coal reserves are from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Oil and gas proved reserves are the EIA figures republished by Our World in Data; oil is converted from cubic metres to barrels at the standard factor. World production, reserves and ranks are from the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries, ranked among the countries USGS names. The full list of commodities and the companies that mine them are from the USGS Minerals Yearbook country tables, which run a few years behind. Rents, land and water are from the World Bank, and export shares from UN Comtrade. Nothing is estimated by us. Figures last checked on 24 October 2026.
USGS country page for Madagascar. EIA international energy data. World Bank resource rents.
Frequently asked questions
What natural resources does Madagascar have?
Madagascar's main natural resources are graphite, mica, cobalt, beryllium, rare earths and titanium mineral concentrates. It was the world's 2nd largest producer of graphite in 2025, with 4.4% of world output. Nickel made up 17.8% of its goods exports in 2025, and all resources together 36.6%. The World Bank puts natural resource rents at 5.5% of GDP in 2021, mostly from forests and timber. The U.S. Geological Survey also records production of chromium, nickel, monazite concentrate, mineral concentrate, kaolin and fertilizers, among 22 mineral commodities.
Does Madagascar produce oil?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration records no meaningful crude oil production for Madagascar in 2025.
What is Madagascar's most valuable natural resource?
By export earnings, nickel: 17.8% of goods exports in 2025, according to UN Comtrade.
How much do natural resources contribute to Madagascar's economy?
Natural resource rents, the value of resources extracted minus the cost of extracting them, were 5.5% of GDP in 2021. That ranks Madagascar 33rd of 54 African countries.
Which companies mine in Madagascar?
The U.S. Geological Survey's 2019 list of Madagascar's mineral industry names 23 operating companies, including China Building Material Product, LaFargeHolcim, KRAOMA Mining S.A. [Ferrum Mining LLC, 80% and Kraomita Malagasy S.A., Ambatovy Minerals S.A. and Norcross Madagascar Group. The full list is on this page.
Where does Madagascar rank in world mineral production?
In 2025, Madagascar ranked 2nd for graphite, 2nd for mica (mica (scrap and flake): production), 4th for cobalt and 6th for beryllium among the producers the U.S. Geological Survey lists.