China Politics | CPC News| Foreign Affairs | World | Opinion| Business | China Military | Society | Life & Culture | Travel | Sports | Science | Education | Photo | Tibet Online | Special Coverage

English >> World

Sapphire deposits in SW Madagascar (3)

Xinhua)  08:11, June 06, 2013  

A child looks for sapphire in a river in Ilakaka town, the famous sapphire town in southwest Madagascar, on May 31, 2013. Since the discovery of alluvial sapphire deposits in 1998, the population had boomed from 40 residents to near 60,000 by 2005, including many businessmen from Thailand, India, France, China, etc., most of whom dreamed to become rich in one night to find sapphires. Madagsacar, famous for its sapphire production, stood alongside Australia as one of the world's two largest sapphire producers at its peak period. There are still sapphire mines operating around Ilakaka, but most deposits are located deeper below the surface now, and miners have to work much harder to extract sapphires. Due to the deep location and political crisis, Madagascar has not managed to regain its former glory as a primary producer of sapphires. (Xinhua/He Xianfeng)

Hot News We Recommend
* Japan, India eager to forge closer ties * Three 'firsts' of Xi's American visit
* Australia named world's happiest nation: OECD report * Dialogue is the way forward in Asia
* Int'l waters free for Chinese submarines: spokesman * Israeli DM: Syria not to receive S-300 before 2014
* Shenzhou-10 mission enters final phase of preparation * 17th Gay Pride Parade held in Sao Paulo
* Giant asteroid safely passes Earth * Tomato fight kicks off in Colombia

【1】 【2】 【3】 【4】 【5】 【6】 【7】 【8】 【9】 【10】

(Editor:LiangJun、Yao Chun)

Photos

Leave your comment

Name:  

Selection for you