No. To enhance transparency and address community concerns, QMM commissioned international environmental experts JBS&G Australia Pty Ltd (JBS&G) to complete a comprehensive independent community study of radiation at QMM. The study, published in September 2023, showed local food sources, water, air and dust are safe from a radiological perspective. 

The study is one of the most comprehensive of its type ever undertaken and was commissioned as one of a number of steps QMM is taking to reinforce international best practices and standards in monitoring its environmental impacts, and the impacts on host communities. 

QMM’s water facilities meet the Rio Tinto internal Standards for Management of Tailings and Water Storage Facilities and Slope Geotechnical Hazards. 

The integrity of the berm system in place is continuously checked and improved where necessary. Work is underway for QMM to comply with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) standard by August 2025.  

Since commissioning the water treatment pilot plant in 2022 and implementing the permanent full-scale treatment in March 2024, QMM has treated close to 10 million cubic metres of process water before releasing it into the receiving environment. Operation of the water treatment plant has seen a year-on-year increase in the ratio of treated water to total water released from 16% in 2022, to 51% in 2023 and 71% in 2024.

The water treatment plant removes on average around 95% of the dissolved aluminium concentration within the process water, and consistently maintains a pH above the national decree of between 6 and 9, prior to release into the receiving environment.

We continue to maximise the use of the water treatment plant as part of our water management system, adjusting according to rainfall and paddock inventory storage.

Following 3 cyclones and heavy rainfall in Fort Dauphin in early 2022, a controlled water release, authorised by the Malagasy regulator (ANDEA and Office National de I’Environnement), was carried out at QMM to mitigate against a possible breach of our dam infrastructure and an uncontrolled incident that could have significantly impacted the environment surrounding our operation. This release, while it minimised environmental risks, raised concerns from our host community members who witnessed fish deaths in the bodies of water surrounding the mine.  

Following these concerns, QMM, together with the regulator, undertook a series of water sample analyses, in addition to ongoing release water monitoring. These showed no significant change to the water quality in the receiving natural environment, and no conclusive link between our mine activities and the observed dead fish by community members. 

QMM commissioned a further study, led by the Water Research Group (WRG), an independent South African environmental research centre. WRG concluded that the 2022 fish deaths were unlikely to be caused by any of the metals concentrations in fish. However, based on the available data, WRG were not able to identify the cause of the fish deaths. 

WRG explained that fish deaths are usually determined to be the result of multiple factors and recommended additional monitoring and assessment be conducted in order to better understand aquatic life in the environment surrounding QMM’s operations.  

Independent experts WSP Canada Inc have been engaged to undertake a receiving environment assessment that aims to expand our understanding of aquatic health in the surrounding environment and enhance the existing monitoring program. 

No. QMM is under the obligation to publish a report to its regulator, the Office National de l’Environnement (ONE), the content of which is discussed annually with the government monitoring committee. The ONE organises public sessions on key findings and recommendations.  

In addition, QMM has published multiple studies that assess QMM’s potential impact on people and the environment, so far showing no concerns. These studies include QMM’s Water Reports and JBS&G community radiation study.  

Beyond our Water Reports, we understand that we need to share information transparently with host communities so that they are aware of and understand our water management strategy and approach.

Over 2024, QMM hosted more than 500 local stakeholders at site and met with over 2,000 community members as part of a series of mobile community kiosks, to enable QMM leaders to directly engage with communities and listen to concerns.

Upstream of the Mandena mine, surface water does not meet the criteria for potable water and therefore QMM’s water management does not aim to produce potable water either. Instead, it aims to achieve regulatory criteria, in the event that QMM needs to release site water into the receiving environment to maintain the water management system within approved inventory levels at site. 

However, we are committed to playing our part in helping host communities to have access to potable water.  

Over the last 2 years, we have financed the rehabilitation and construction of 4 potable water stations in the 3 communes neighbouring the mine, with 30 distribution points. 

As part of the fiscal agreement between the Government of Madagascar and Rio Tinto announced in August 2023, QMM committed to increase support for local communities to $4 million per year over 25 years, with half to be spent locally, and half in the region. QMM’s community development projects are designed in collaboration with communities, consistent with regional and national development plans, and approved by the Malagasy Government.   

A key project commencing in 2025 is the rehabilitation of the state-owned Lanirano water station, supplying water to the town of Fort Dauphin, for a budget of $1.2 million.   

The community development program also includes projects that help to restore potable water fountains in the 3 communes neighbouring the mine.

The community tensions in Fort Dauphin in early 2022 were an aspect of a very challenging situation that required a rapid response from all parties. In addition to short-term measures taken by QMM to respond to the fishing ban, including emergency food deliveries to over 7,000 affected households, a tripartite process was initiated between the government, QMM and community representatives and led to an agreed community grievance process in May 2022.

A total of 8,778 claims were considered in the tripartite process, with over 5,000 eligible individuals receiving compensation from QMM by March 2023. Claimants were organised in 3 main categories: fisherfolk, natural resource users and land claimants. Compensation was agreed with claimant representatives, following a negotiation process, and based on the cumulative impact of QMM's operations for each specific group deemed eligible since operations began. Land claimants were deemed not eligible and managed by a separate process between the land claimants and the authorities. Compensation payments for eligible complainants were completed in March 2023. 

The process was voluntary and publicised within affected communities including on local radio. Negotiations took place with representatives of fisherfolk and natural resource users, in the presence of 2 observers and a jointly appointed mediator. The representatives of the various groups were to keep the communities informed of developments. Throughout the process, QMM made resources available to all parties to fund external experts. 

As part of the fiscal agreement between the Government of Madagascar and Rio Tinto announced in August 2023, QMM committed to increase support for local communities to $4 million per year over 25 years, with half to be spent locally, and half in the region.

We are prioritising delivering meaningful and tangible benefits to the community, with the aim to make a sustainable difference to the economic and social development of the country.

Following several community engagements, the list of projects was submitted to the representatives of the Government of Madagascar and approved by the Council of Ministers in September 2024, in accordance with the provisions of the fiscal agreement.

QMM is working with partners to roll out the 2024-2025 program. Key projects include improving sustainable livelihood practices in agriculture and the blue economy, rural electrification, support for education and health care, and helping the people of Fort Dauphin receive improved infrastructure to access potable water.

Key projects already delivered include:

• More than 11,000 local primary school students receiving school supplies.
• A humanitarian mission of doctors providing free medical to more than 19,000 regional people.
• Seed and fertiliser distribution for 12,000 farmers.
• University scholarships to 30 beneficiaries in Fort Dauphin.
• Fish farming training and equipment for 1,000 fishermen.