🇲🇬 REPUBLIC OF MADAGASCAR –

Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) Projects

OVERVIEW

Country: Republic of Madagascar (Antsiranana, Diego Suarez)
Project Status: Completed (2002)
Start Year: 1995
Minerals: Sapphires, Ruby, Zircon, Emerald, Aquamarine, Gold
Mining Type: Alluvial & Hard Rock
Technology: DOVE EXPLORER® semi-mobile mineral processing plant – 150 TPH

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Following initial exploration, DOVE identified a major sapphire deposit of exceptional scale within the first three blocks under exploration. Recognizing the potential, DOVE provided the full investment and committed to a full-scale mining operation, importing and commissioning a DOVE EXPLORER^® portable (semi-mobile) processing plant with a capacity of 150 tons per hour (TPH), accompanied by the necessary earthmoving equipment. The plant was specifically engineered and further modified to process the extremely heavy and sticky clay content characteristic of the ore contained in the deposit.

This achievement marked a milestone in Madagascar’s mining history:

The EXPLORER^® plant represented the first-ever professional minerals processing plant in Madagascar — and the country’s first fully professional mining operation.

From this foundation, the project became a benchmark for modern, large-scale, and environmentally conscious gemstone mining in the region.

Market Impact & Gemstone Processing

DOVE Minerals sapphire production in Madagascar

As production scaled up, DOVE Minerals reached another historic milestone:

DOVE exported the first-ever shipment of Madagascar blue sapphires to Bangkok, Thailand, introducing these gems to the Thai gemstone market for the very first time.

The arrival of Madagascar’s blue sapphires generated unprecedented excitement, with major gem dealers competing for exclusive supply contracts with DOVE.

The mine’s productivity was remarkable, yielding an average of 3.5 kilograms of blue sapphires per day, with peak production reaching up to 18 kilograms in a single day. The production mix consisted of:

15–20% high-quality blue sapphires
30–40% medium-quality stones
The balance in lower-quality material, suitable for beads and carving

In response to the strong demand, DOVE established a gemstone cutting and enhancement facility in Bangkok, as an extension of its jewelry manufacturing factory, employing 150 skilled cutters. This operation included heat treatment processes to improve color, clarity, and luster.

A portion of the finished stones was supplied directly to jewelry manufacturers, while the remainder was sold to cutting factories, reinforcing DOVE’s position as a premier international sapphire supplier.

Expansion Through Joint Ventures

The success of DOVE’s first mining block operation — and the historic first-time introduction of large-scale Madagascar blue sapphire production to the Bangkok gemstone market — drew significant interest from leading international companies.

Many sought to partner with DOVE in joint ventures to develop additional high-potential areas within the 33-block licensed concession.

Each venture combined DOVE’s technology and expertise with partner funding, producing large volumes of sapphires and reinforcing Madagascar’s role in global gemstone markets:

DOVE – IMA Joint Venture Sapphire Mining
DOVE – ABFG Sapphire Mining Operation
DOVE – Blue Star S.A.R.L. Sapphire Mining Operation
DOVE – Stone & Wood S.A.R.L. Sapphire Mining Operation
DOVE – Andover S.A.R.L. Sapphire Mining Operation

Mr. Fillip Sharifi visiting mining project, Madagascar.

DOVE–IMA Joint Venture Sapphire Mining

A high-capacity sapphire mining venture that combined DOVE’s field-proven recovery technology and operational expertise with IMA’s investment capital. Targeting high-potential deposits within the licensed area, the partnership achieved strong production yields and contributed significantly to Madagascar’s sapphire output during its operation.

DOVE–American Benefits Group Inc. (ABFG) Sapphire Mining Operation

A targeted sapphire extraction program conducted in select licensed blocks, with DOVE providing advanced processing equipment, operational management, and mining expertise, and ABFG contributing project funding. The operation yielded significant volumes of gem-grade sapphires, with production divided between the partners. The project operated successfully for two years, concluding when the deposit was fully depleted.

DOVE–Blue Star Sapphire Mining Operation

A joint venture sapphire mining project in which DOVE supplied the mining block, the required processing plant, and the technical expertise to conduct the operation, while Blue Star S.A.R.L. provided the necessary funding. Leveraging DOVE’s advanced recovery systems and specialized gem recovery knowledge, the venture successfully targeted rare and highly valuable blue star sapphires. This project added a distinctive, high-value category to DOVE’s production portfolio and further enhanced Madagascar’s reputation as a leading global source of premium sapphires.

DOVE–Stone & Wood S.A.R.L. Sapphire Mining Operation

A joint venture sapphire mining project in which DOVE provided the licensed mining block, state-of-the-art processing plant, and technical operational expertise, while Stone & Wood S.A.R.L. contributed capital investment and logistical support. The partnership focused on high-yield sapphire deposits within the concession, using DOVE’s advanced recovery technology to maximize gemstone quality and output. The operation delivered consistent production results and added further scale to DOVE’s mining activities in the Antsiranana region.

DOVE–Andover S.A.R.L. Sapphire Mining Operation

A joint venture sapphire mining initiative in which DOVE supplied the licensed mining block, advanced mineral processing plant, and full operational management, while Andover S.A.R.L. provided project funding and local market support. The collaboration targeted promising sapphire-bearing zones within the concession, applying DOVE’s proven recovery systems to achieve optimal yield. The project contributed to steady production volumes and further diversified the output from Antsiranana’s gemstone deposits.