Tracking Development - Rio Tinto - Qit Madagascar Minerals

The Production Phase
Mahampy
Marie Agnes is one of seven women serving on the Comité de
Gestion de Mandena (COGEMA, or Mandena Management
Committee). She has been a member of the Mandena
COGEMA since 2004, when the committee entered its
second phase of operation. From Mandromondromotra, she
is a link between QMM and the commune. Regularly found
in QMM’s Biodiversity, Community Relations and Sustainable
Development department, Marie Agnes collaborates with
team members and provides information to and from the
department to the communities bordering Mandena. She
explains, “The communities living near Mandena believed it was
because of the mine there was no more mahampy growing.
However, we are explaining it is because of the Niaouli, an
invasive species, (Melaleuca quinquinera or Kinina Bonaky in
Malagasy) that the nutrients are being taken from the soil, so the
mahampy can’t grow.”
“There IS lots of mahampy and with
restoration projects there will be even
more. We know income from mahampy
will always be here.”
For Marie Angnes, and many others from the Anosy region,
mahampy, a fast-growing reed found abundantly in swamps
and low-water lakes, has played an important role in her life
since she was a small child. “Even after a cyclone, mahampy
is still here. It is always here as a source of income.” The mahampy
reeds are dried, dyed and woven into baskets, hats
and mats and sold acaross local markets and in Fort Dauphin.
Mother’s teach their daughters this artistry and these skills
are passed from one generation to the next.
Through current mahampy restoration efforts, QMM is
ensuring the reed species, exceptionally valuable to the local
population, will continue to thrive in the region.
Marie Agnes and Vola Silina during the mahampy restoration
efforts in April, 2011.
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