Tracking Development - Rio Tinto - Qit Madagascar Minerals

The Production Phase
managing natural resources
The littoral forests in which the three deposits are located
are a particularly threatened forest type, containing highly
localised plant and animal species. QMM’s goal since the
beginning of the project has been to protect the unique
biodiversity of the area and to achieve a net positive
impact (NPI) on biodiversity. To ensure this biodiversity is
preserved, for nearly 20 years QMM has worked on different
programmes including conservation, rehabilitation of land after
mining, restoration of natural ecosystems and the sustainable
utilisation and management of local natural resources.
Flora and fauna species have also been exceptionally well
identified though QMM sponsored research. Recognition of
these efforts was demonstrated in 2009 when QMM was
awarded the esteemed Nedbank Green Mining Award in
the environmental category. The award honours a company
that has made a significant effort in terms of protecting or
improving the biophysical environment in which it operates.
Seventy permanent and more than 100 non-permanent
employees, 80 per cent of whom are from the communities
bordering Mandena, work for the biodiversity programme.
Established in 2002, the Community Reforestation
Programme’s objective is to plant 100ha of fast growing trees
per year to supply local communities with wood for fuel and
charcoal around the mining sites. In addition, a regional tree
nursery was established in 2005, in partnership with USAID,
to provide a sustainable source of fuel for the population
and to reduce pressure on natural forest remnants. To date,
more than 1000ha have been reforested with approximately
1.5 million trees.
QMM has been using “green engineering” to stabilise
infrastructure around the project and haul roads. The
production of 2.5 million Vetiver (Vetivera zizanioides), a
non-invasive species known for its high capacity to combat
erosion, created hundreds of jobs and generated hundreds
of dollars of net income for local populations during the
construction phase. This activity continues to sustain local
agricultural associations today.
Mahampy (Lepironia mucronata) is a reed species growing
in the wetlands of Mandena and across the region. The
reed, known as mahampy in the local Malagasy dialect, is an
indispensable resource for the local population. Harvested
and used to make various types of basketry through braiding
and weaving, mahampy represents a substantial economic
and cultural component within the Anosy region.
The first trials to restore the mahampy reed were
conducted in 1999 with the help of women’s associations.
Fifty women from villages surrounding Mandena were
actively involved and integrated in the experiment. Despite
initial scepticism expressed by participants with respect to
the viability of rehabilitating the mahampy reed beds, after the
first harvest of exceptional quality mahampy, the association
thrived and presently includes 186 women.
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