Sixteen years ago, the World Bank warned that the QMM mine might have such an impact.In the 2005 evaluation of the QMM project, it described Transform the lagoon system near the mine into a permanent freshwater system because “basically irreversible, the transformation may affect subsistence fisheries.”
The villager added: “The most sad thing for us is that if QMM knows that the weir will ruin us, the company should continue to compensate us. Because at present, we are really poor.”
Water quality
The testimony of the villagers showed that the environmental impact of the QMM mine on the lives of local people in Mandna has become more serious in the past decade, especially the impact on the local water quality. The same is true for the community research conducted by PWYP MG in 2020.
After the QMM mine overflow accident in 2018, the local civil society called on the government to study the quality of lake water. Found dead fish floating in the lake.
Therefore, in 2019, the Madagascar Center for Environmental Research (CNRE) sampled the lake water and recommended “strict monitoring of the concentration levels of heavy metals in mining basins that may affect the natural environment”.
The request to the Madagascar environmental regulator and Rio Tinto/QMM to disclose the CNRE report was silenced and inaction.
According to local representatives and civil society representatives, the local governance around the mine lacked transparency and was severely “damaged.”
International call to action
Since 2019, a series of Independent study proved High levels of uranium and lead in the downstream waters of the QMM mine It will adversely affect the water quality of the region.
National and international civil society actors have been raising awareness of Water problem, Public Call for Rio Tinto To ensure that QMM effectively manages its mine wastewater, and requires the company to provide safe drinking water to communities affected by the mine in the Mandana area.
Rio Tinto denies QMM is polluting local waterways. Instead of fulfilling its international sustainability and water commitments, it is wasting time, dragging under-resourced NGOs and civil society into protracted empty discussions to avoid answering difficult questions or providing meaningful actions to satisfy the community Needs and requirements.
Ignored suggestions
The company did not listen to the opinions of its own advisers. In accordance with the requirements of international non-governmental organizations and researchers, more direct contact with communities affected by landmines, QMM external advisory team member, international independent advisory team (IIAP), met with fishermen from Andra Karaka in November 2019.
IIAP reported the serious impact of the QMM mine on the community and concluded: “It is doubtful that the livelihoods of any other communities in the area have suffered greater direct damage due to mine operations. “
Two years ago, they made urgent recommendations to QMM, demanding compensation for the fishermen’s lost livelihoods. However, TonThe testimony of community members shows that Rio Tinto/QMM has taken almost no measures to resolve The harmful effects of mines on their health and livelihoods.
Endless disjoint
After Rio Tinto went bankrupt Jukan Canyon, The company is working hard to emphasize new efforts to improve relations with traditional owners.However, there are still huge Words are out of touch with reality Social participation and dialogue process between QMM and local communities.
Fishermen expressed disappointment at the lack of any meaningful progress in Rio Tinto/QMM Publicly protest and block the road to the mine.
Two representatives of the Fisheries Association leading the protest were arrested. One was injured by police and refused to provide legal and medical assistance.
This mining company has a long-term agreement with the regional security forces to ensure local security.Unfortunately, it is not Villagers’ rights to food, economy or environmental safety Protected.
After the protests ended, local negotiations have begun and are in progress. The two arrested were granted “provisional release.” The honorary chairman of the Fisheries Association will face a court at the end of the month and be charged with incitement.
This author
Yvonne Orengo Is an independent communications consultant and director Andrew Lees Trust (ALT UK) is a British charity established after his death by the same name in 1994. She lives and works in southern Madagascar to develop the trust fund’s social and environmental plans and has tracked the development of the Rio Tinto/QMM mine for more than 26 years. ALT UK is working with Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Madagascar and international activists to study and promote the impact of the QMM mine on rural communities in the Anosi region of southern Madagascar.
