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Bemolanga Tar Sands

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Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)

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The Bemolanga tar sands represent one of the world's largest unexploited bitumen deposits, situated in the northwestern part of the Morondava Basin in Madagascar. The area spans hundreds of square kilometers and holds estimated resources of approximately 9.8 billion barrels of oil in place. Extracting oil from these sands requires complex open-pit mining techniques and advanced technological processes to separate the bitumen from the sand, similar to major projects in Canada. Although the deposit was discovered in the early 20th century, large-scale industrial development has been delayed by high capital costs and environmental considerations. As a potential megaproject, Bemolanga could fundamentally reshape the economic landscape of East Africa and establish Madagascar as a significant player in the global energy market. The long-term infrastructure development of the Melaky region is closely tied to the eventual realization of this massive resource.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C252525242221212326272727
Rain mm3842802018623111261455115232

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
The Bemolanga Tar Sands in Madagascar are a massive deposit of bituminous sands seen as a future hydrocarbon source for the region. They could play a key role in the country's energy supply.
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Visiting
The area is a remote, undeveloped terrain with no tourist infrastructure. Access is difficult and not recommended, as it is a resource deposit with no public roads.
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Where to view it
A view from the surrounding hills or from an aircraft would be the only way to grasp its extent. From ground level, nearby ridges provide a limited, distant perspective on the sandy outcrops.
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Local products
Currently no local products are extracted from the tar sands. Travellers in the region can, however, buy vanilla, coffee, or rice on local markets grown in surrounding agricultural areas.
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Active season
The project is in a very early planning stage, with no active extraction or processing. Potential future development could lead to increased activity, but timelines are unknown.
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Nearby
Combine a trip to the region with a visit to the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, famous for its limestone formations. The coastal city of Morondava also has access to the famous baobab avenues.

Geography

Coordinates
-18.53330, 45.10000

Facts

  • One of the largest bitumen deposits in the world
  • Estimated resources of 9.8 billion barrels of oil
  • Located in the Melaky region of western Madagascar
  • Discovered as early as the start of the 20th century
  • Requires open-pit mining techniques for extraction
  • Potential to transform Madagascar into a major oil exporter

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Tsimiroro Oil FieldTsimiroro Oil Field22 km · SEExplore →
Bemaraha National ParkBemaraha National Park41 km · SExplore →
Bemaraha PlateauBemaraha Plateau42 km · SWExplore →
Tsingy de BemarahaTsingy de Bemaraha46 km · SExplore →
AntsalovaAntsalova55 km · SExplore →
Antsingy River PortAntsingy River Port79 km · SEExplore →
BekopakaBekopaka79 km · SWExplore →
MiandrivazoMiandrivazo88 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What are the Bemolanga tar sands?
A huge deposit of bitumen that is being explored for energy production.
Can the site be visited?
No, it is a private industrial site with no visitor access.
Why are tar sands controversial?
The extraction is ecologically demanding and energy-intensive.
What is the importance of this for Madagascar?
It could represent a significant national energy reserve.
Is there tourism there?
No, the region is industrially characterized and very remote.
Bemolanga Tar Sands: where is it located?
Bemolanga Tar Sands is located in Madagascar.
Bemolanga Tar Sands: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Bemolanga Tar Sands: why is it worth visiting?
The Bemolanga tar sands represent one of the world's largest unexploited bitumen deposits, situated in the northwestern part of the Morondava Basin in Madagascar.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Mahajanga — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Mahajanga
Port city on the Mozambique Channel in Madagascar.
Antsalova — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Antsalova
Near the Bemaraha Park in Madagascar.
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Ambatoboeny
Trading town in the west in Madagascar.
Maevatanana — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Maevatanana
Hot gold-mining town in Madagascar.
Befandriana-Avaratra — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Befandriana-Avaratra
Rural trading center in Madagascar.
Bekopaka — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Bekopaka
The remote gateway to Tsingy de Bemaraha, famous for its razor-sharp limestone formations.
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Kandreho
Isolated settlement in Madagascar.
Amborovy — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Amborovy
Amborovy is a beautiful coastal resort near Mahajanga in Madagascar, famous for its grand beaches and relaxing environment.
Port-Bergé — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Port-Bergé
Agricultural hub in Madagascar.
Anjajavy — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Anjajavy
An exclusive nature reserve on the northwest coast, famous for Coquerel's sifakas, tsingy formations, and secluded coves.

History & landmarks

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Mahajanga City Hall
An administrative building in the center of the coastal city of Mahajanga, known for its colonial-style architecture.
Kamoro Suspension Bridge — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Kamoro Suspension Bridge
A historic suspension bridge over the Kamoro River on National Road 4, designed in the Eiffel era.
Betsiboka Bridge — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Betsiboka Bridge
An important road bridge in Maevatanana crossing the red Betsiboka River, connecting Antananarivo with Mahajanga.

Nature

Tsiribihina River — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Tsiribihina River
A river in the west, popular for canoe tours through the gorges.
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Tsiribihina Delta
The river delta where the Tsiribihina flows into the ocean.

More places

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Tsimiroro Oil Field
A significant onshore heavy oil field, developed using steam injection techniques.
Bemaraha National Park — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Bemaraha National Park
Unique karst formations and habitat for rare lemurs.
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Bemaraha Plateau
A rugged limestone plateau in the west.
Tsingy de Bemaraha — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Tsingy de Bemaraha
A spectacular limestone karst landscape in western Madagascar.
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Antsingy River Port
A small inland landing stage that allows the transport of agricultural goods via the waterways.
Port of Maintirano — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Port of Maintirano
This coastal point mainly serves small merchant ships and fishermen in the west of the island.
Kirindy Forest — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Kirindy Forest
A dry forest where the Fossa predator is found.
Tsingy of Namoroka Park — Bemolanga Tar Sands (Madagascar)
Tsingy of Namoroka Park
A less known park with spectacular rock formations and animals.