Mauritius, a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean, has limited natural resources but uses them efficiently to support its economy.
Arable land makes up about 39% of the island, mostly used for sugarcane, which takes up 70% of cultivated land. Forests cover around 20% of the Earth and help with soil and water conservation, though deforestation is an issue.
Mineral resources are minimal, mainly basalt and lime, which are used in construction. Polymetallic nodules with manganese, iron, and cobalt exist offshore, but deep-sea extraction is difficult.
The country depends on imported petroleum for energy, but is advancing in renewables, using sugarcane by-products like bagasse.
Mauritius’s Natural Resources And Their Locations
Here’s a list of natural resources that have been discovered in Mauritius and their locations:
| Natural Resources | Locations |
|---|---|
| Arable Land | Plaines Wilhems District (Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes), Moka District, Flacq District |
| Basalt (volcanic rock) | Savanne District, Black River District |
| Lime (coral sand and limestone) | Coastal areas of Grand Baie (North), Blue Bay (South-East), and Pointe d’Esny (South-East) |
| Polymetallic Nodules | Central Indian Ocean Basin |
| Forests | Black River Gorges National Park (South-West), Bras d’Eau National Park (North-East), Macchabée Forest Reserve |
| Freshwater Resources | Grand River South East Basin (Savanne District), Midlands Plateau (Moka and Plaines Wilhems), Midlands Reservoirs |
| Phosphate (bird guano) | Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon Archipelago), Agalega Islands (North-West), Rodrigues Island |
| Renewable Energy (Bagasse) | Flacq, Savanne, and Plaines Wilhems districts |
Discoveries Of Mauritius’s Natural Resources
Early settlers in Mauritius encountered dense native forests in the Black River Gorges area, where ebony and other valuable trees were cleared to make way for farming and settlements.
The island’s fertile volcanic soil proved ideal for agriculture. By the 19th century, sugarcane had become the dominant crop, covering about 39% of the land in areas like Plaines Wilhems and Flacq.
Basalt rock, found near Trou aux Cerfs and in Savanne, was commonly used for construction, while limestone and coral sand were sourced from coastal regions such as Grand Baie and Blue Bay.
In recent decades, polymetallic nodules have been discovered on the seabed within Mauritius’s Exclusive Economic Zone, particularly in the Mascarene Basin.
These nodules contain manganese, iron, nickel, copper, and cobalt, lying at depths between 4,000 and 5,000 meters and growing at extremely slow rates.
In some zones, they cover over 70% of the ocean floor, with an average concentration of 10 to 15 kg per square meter. Their economic potential has drawn attention for future resource development.
Alongside this, marine studies have identified rich coral ecosystems and productive fishing grounds near Rodrigues and the Cargados Carajos Shoals.
Native forests, once seen across the island, are now mostly limited to areas like Black River Gorges and Bras d’Eau National Parks, covering about 20% of the land due to historical deforestation.
Basalt is still abundant in volcanic regions, while limestone and coral sand continue to serve in local construction. The island’s waters support fisheries and marine biodiversity. In energy, the use of bagasse, a by-product of sugarcane, has expanded in regions like Flacq and Savanne.
Viability Of Mauritius’s Natural Resources
Mauritius uses about 39% of its land for agriculture, mostly for sugarcane. The crop is productive due to fertile soil and a favorable climate.
Still, limited land and soil erosion are issues. Sustainable farming is needed to keep yields high and protect the environment.
Polymetallic nodules found on the ocean floor around 4,000 meters are a potential source of valuable metals like manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper.
While promising, deep-sea mining is still in the early stages and faces major environmental, technical, and legal hurdles.
Forests cover roughly 20% of the country and support biodiversity and tourism. Timber export is minimal due to preservation efforts.
In contrast, marine resources such as fish and seafood are viable for both local use and export. However, sustainable fishing is essential to prevent overfishing and protect marine life.
Mauritius also generates electricity from sugarcane by-products like bagasse, which helps reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. This renewable source is growing and could either lower energy costs or increase export potential over time.
Export Potential Of Mauritius’s Natural Resources
Mauritius has export potential across several sectors, supported by its natural resources and strategic location.
1. Sugar And Agricultural Products
Sugarcane is the leading agricultural export, occupying about 70% of the country’s cultivated land. In 2022, sugarcane production reached 2.26 million tonnes, down from 2.67 million tonnes in 2021.
Mauritius exports raw, refined, and specialty sugars to the European Union (46.6%), COMESA and SADC (38%), the United States (4.8%), and global markets (5.6%).
In 2017, sugar export earnings stood at MUR 7.18 billion, with specialty sugars generating higher returns due to quality. Moving into value-added products like bioethanol and specialty sugars can also increase export value.
2. Minerals And Deep-Sea Resources
Mauritius’s Exclusive Economic Zone presents promising potential in deep-sea mineral extraction. Polymetallic nodules located at depths of 4,000–5,000 meters are rich in manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, and copper, which are inputs for global industries like electronics and renewable energy. Though extraction hasn’t started, future viability could position Mauritius as a strategic exporter of essential metals.
3. Seafood And Marine Products
Marine exports, especially tuna, support Mauritius’s economy. Sourced from Rodrigues Island and Saint Brandon Archipelago, fish are processed locally to meet export standards.
With the growing demand for sustainable seafood, improving certification and adopting eco-friendly fishing practices could boost exports. Value-added products like canned tuna and frozen fillets also offer increased revenue and job creation.
4. Renewable Energy And Related Exports
Mauritius utilizes sugarcane by-products like bagasse for domestic electricity, reducing energy imports. Although export in this sector is restricted, there’s scope to share clean energy expertise and technologies.
Investments in solar and wind projects could establish Mauritius as a regional leader in renewable energy innovation.
Economic Impact Of Mauritius’s Natural Resources
Mauritius’s natural resources contribute to the country’s growth, employment, and exports.
1. Contribution To GDP
Agriculture, largely dominated by sugarcane cultivation, contributes about 6% of the GDP, down from over 12% in the 1990s due to ongoing economic diversification.
Despite the decline, sugarcane still covers nearly 39% of the island’s land and is a key export product. Fisheries and marine resources also add value through exports from Rodrigues and the Saint Brandon Archipelago.
Basalt and limestone support construction but represent a smaller share of GDP. Renewable energy from bagasse lowers energy costs and promotes energy security.
2. Employment Generation
About 20% of workers are engaged in agriculture, mainly sugarcane, which sustains many rural communities. Fisheries and seafood processing generate jobs in coastal regions, particularly Rodrigues.
Forestry and eco-tourism, supported by national parks like Black River Gorges, also provide employment. Bagasse-based renewable energy projects create jobs across both the agriculture and energy sectors.
3. Export Revenues
Natural resources contribute substantially to export earnings. Sugarcane products bring in over MUR 7 billion annually, with exports directed to the EU (46.6%) and regional markets such as COMESA and SADC (38%).
Seafood, especially tuna, boosts foreign exchange from regions like Rodrigues and Saint Brandon. While deep-sea mining is not yet active, polymetallic nodules with manganese, cobalt, and nickel present strong export prospects.
Renewable energy from bagasse reduces dependence on energy imports and may open future opportunities in the clean energy market.