Similar to Kwale in Kenya, to Pondoland in

South Africa, to coastal Tamil Nadu in India, also in Madagascar the mining of sands containing minerals destroys the

environment and impoverishes the peoples. There are several such conflicts in

Madagascar in Toliara (Ranobe), and in Mainland Mine Analanjirofo. In Toliara

the project was initiated by the Australian company World Titanium resources

and bought back by Base Resources, to mine ilmenite, zircon and rutile. Mining

would start in 2019 displacing population, burying tombs, consuming water, causing

pollution in Ranobe, one of the most valuable protected areas in the country.

Since 2010, the Chineese company MAINLAND

MINING Ltd, is exploring ilmenite and zircon. Actually, the area explored by MAINLAND Mining Ltd is a property of

QMM (joint venture between Rio Tinto and Malagasy government).

In the extreme south-east corner of

Madagascar, QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM), which is 80% owned by Rio Tinto and

20% owned by the Government of Madagascar, built a mineral sands mining

operation near Taolagnaro supported by the World Bank. QMM intends to extract

ilmenite and zircon from heavy mineral sands over an area of about 6,000

hectares along the coast over the next 40-50 years. Ilmenite is a raw material

for titanium. This is one of the most ecologically diverse regions of

Madagascar, but also one of the poorest and most isolated. Eighty-two per cent

of Anosy inhabitants live below the poverty line (US1$/day) and the regional

population is expected to double by 2020. The Rio Tinto QMM project got the

'go-ahead' from Rio Tinto in August 2005 and construction started in January

2006. It displaced local people from their land and requires the removal of

rare fragments of coastal forest and heathland found only in Madagascar.

Many local people have little or no

knowledge of the dramatic changes taking place and the reasons for them.

Differences of understanding about the project have already led to conflict and

mistrust, which have been further compounded by the lack of communication. The

social, environmental and economic upheaval caused by the project affects

different stakeholders in different ways. The most important direct negative

biodiversity impact resulting from Rio Tinto/QMMs activities is the loss of

coastal forest habitat at Mandena, Petriky and Sainte Luce. Approximately 1,665

ha was expected to be lost to dredging, which entails not only clearance of

vegetation but also removal of soil and its constituent seed bank. In January

2012, local communities from Taolagnaro made demonstrations in the street,

carrying banners and asking for the resignation of the Chief of Anosy region.

In addition, many social conflicts were

identified and observed on the ground. Property prices and rents have increased

dramatically along with the cost of food, medical treatment and energy.

Inflation has severely affected the livelihoods of most Taolagnaro inhabitants

and some long-term residents were leaving town. Just 10% of the Malagasy

population hold official title to their land, with most holding customary land

rights that are afforded a lower legal status despite having been held for

generations. Changes to local property ownership as a result of the project

were extended significantly by the measures of the Integrated Growth Poles

project and revision of the land laws. This has affected local peoples

ownership of their homes, and their ability to own land in future.

On the environmental effects, by 2019 it

was reported that Rio Tinto / QMM had trespassed into a “sensitive zone,”

violating national law and raising the possibility that radionuclide-enriched

tailings could enter a lake that local people use for drinking water. Rio

Tinto, the London-based multinational that owns the mine, acknowledged the

breach for the first time in a March 23, 2019. The breach raises health and

safety concerns in one of Madagascar’s most impoverished regions. The lake,

part of a forested estuary system a few miles from the city of Taolagnaro,

commonly known as Fort Dauphin, serves as a fishing and foraging ground for

people in nearby villages (Mongabay).

Initial mining activity is at the 2000 ha Mandena site, to the north of Taolagnaro. Production on this site will eventually ramp up to 750,000 tonnes a year.

Later phases will be at Sainte-Luce and Petriky and there is potential to expand production to 2.2 million tonnes a year.

According to WWF, Rio Tinto/QMM projects an annual turnover of US$69 million. The 2003 SEIA estimates that the mine will contribute US$7 to US$9 million annually to the Madagascar economy during the first five years of operation, though no breakdown is offered about revenue disbursal. This figure will grow from US$15 to US$26 million per year from all sources (local expenditures, taxes, and dividends) over the life of the mine. The breakdown for year six and beyond is: Local expenditures US$ 4-5 million/year Government fiscal profits (i.e. taxes) US$ 7-15 million/year Dividends deposited at OMNIS (institute of mines) US$ 4-6 million/year Total expected: US$ 15-26 million/year