Tracking Development - Rio Tinto - Qit Madagascar Minerals

The Production Phase
supporting a healthy community
Good health is a key component to a happy life. Whether at
Mandena or in the communities in which QMM is involved,
activities involving health promotion are paramount for the
company. QMM prioritises a Safe and healthy workplace.
With the goal of zero occupational illness and injury for
employees and their families, activities involve continuous
monitoring of different contaminants, including dust, noise and
radiation. Between 2010 and 2011, over 1,650 employees
underwent medical examinations. As the fight against HIV/
AIDS and STIs has been a cornerstone of QMM’s activities in
the Fort Dauphin area, condoms are always readily accessible
and available to employees across all sites, with over thirtytwo
thousand condoms distributed to date. The provision of
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials
and the regular distribution of impregnated mosquito nets
and sodium hypochlorite solution (Sur Eau) for point of use
treatment of drinking water is routine, with 6,000 bottles
distributed in 2011.
QMM strives to contribute to the advancement of
public health in the region and to promote community
health in communities surrounding the project. In Sainte
Luce and Ambinanibe, where the population previously
lacked easy access to a health centre, QMM financed
the construction of a CSB (Centre de Santé de Base -
primary health care centre). In the communes of Ampasy
Nahamponana and Mandromodromotra, where health
centres existed but were in need of repair, QMM funded
their rehabilitation. Previously, health staff working across
the two communes commuted over an hour between
Fort Dauphin and their respective CSB’s. Through QMM
support, two housing complexes for doctors, nurses and
other health staff have been built. This has generated more
time for consultations, contributing to more productive
and efficient health care.
To provide communities with improved access to clean
drinking water, QMM financed the installation of 20 water
wells. Residents no longer have to travel long distances
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