Tracking Development - Rio Tinto - Qit Madagascar Minerals

executive summary
To achieve a Net Positive Impact (NPI) on biodiversity,
QMM has engaged in programmes including conservation,
rehabilitation, restoration and natural resource management.
Over 1.5 million trees have been cultivated in the region’s
largest tree nursery at Mandena and replanted, providing
a sustainable source of fuel for the local population and
reducing pressure on remaining fragments of natural forest.
To co-manage natural resources and conservation zones,
the dina, a traditional and uniquely Malagasy social contract,
has been established. Management committees have been
formed by the communities, government and QMM in each
of the mining sites to apply and enforce the dina. Recognising
the importance of environmental education, especially for
Madagascar’s future generations, QMM has planted green
spaces around primary schools and distributed learning
materials which communicate the importance of protecting
Madagascar’s unique natural environment. (See The Production
Phase, Managing Natural Resources, p. 54-57.)
Since March 2009 Madagascar has experienced political
instability. The socioeconomic repercussions have had
wide-ranging impacts on the project and have complicated
relationships with stakeholders, positioning QMM in a very
different context than ever anticipated. Deutsche Gesellschaft
für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and QMM have
signed a partnership agreement and are working together to
promote good governance and economic diversification in
the communities living around mining activities. As stipulated
in the Mining Code, royalties, taxes and dividends are being
distributed at the national, regional and local level. GIZ and
QMM are supporting the Extractive Industry’s Transparency
Initiative (EITI), with capacities in participatory planning and
budgeting being strengthened and public awareness about
the importance of the EITI generated. (see The Production
Phase, Fostering Good Governance, p. 58-59.)
The QMM project is anticipated to span over 50 years,
from operation to closure. QMM is investing for the longterm
and remains committed to the region’s development
and to the project delivering positive outcomes. QMM’s two
flagship programmes, the PDI and the Fagneva programme,
will continue to strengthen people’s livelihoods and promote
socioeconomic development. To ensure sustainability of
the programmes, QMM recommends the establishment
of a regional mining foundation to capitalise on part of
the royalties. Applied correctly, the foundation can be the
principal vehicle to share the benefits derived from mineral
production with communities and the means to work towards
effective, balanced and equitable development in the Anosy
region. Understanding the need to continue strengthening
stakeholder engagement, a Conseil des Parties Prenantes
(CPP, or Stakeholders Council) composed of government
members, civil society and QMM, has been established as
an important component in the recently developed Conflict
Prevention Strategy. As the company’s profitability will
depend on exploitation of all three orebodies, the next mining
zones of Sainte Luce and Petriky will later be developed.
QMM has had an active presence within these communities
for many years and will continue to do so, explaining the
project, preparing the population for the changes to come
and building positive relations based on respect, trust and
mutual understanding. (See The Future, p. 60-67.)
The 230 hectare Mandena conservation zone
shelters 414 plant species, 21 species of mammals,
40 species of reptiles and 44 species of birds.
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