QMM employee

QMM water management

Water is a vital, shared resource that is integral to the lives and livelihoods of those communities surrounding QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) operations, and to the region’s long-term environmental stability. Access to clean drinking water is also a fundamental human right. 

We take our responsibility to manage water very seriously. 

Our water strategy provides an integrated approach to managing QMM’s current and future water-related challenges and objectives, across 3 pillars:  

QMM water pillars

Reporting

In accordance with our commitment to transparently share information, we’ve published our 2024 Water Report, which sets out QMM’s water management data and performance and builds on the 2023 Water Report. 

Conclusions drawn from the 2024 Water Report remain consistent with the previous 2023 Water Report. Comparison of water quality monitoring data upstream and downstream of the QMM release point shows them to be comparable, with the majority of the regulated metals tested consistently below laboratory limits of detection.  

The water treatment plant is working as designed, and helping QMM to meet regulatory requirements.   

Water management requires continual evaluation and analysis to ensure that we avoid and mitigate potential impacts of our operations and implement leading practice. Together with our stakeholders, QMM is committed to continue developing solutions that work long-term.

QMM water reports

QMM Water Report 2024
PDF
27.62 MB
QMM Water Report 2021-2023
QMM Water Report 2021-2023
PDF
9.27 MB
QMM Water Report 2021-2023 [FR]
PDF
10.1 MB
QMM water discharge monitoring data (2015-2020)
QMM water discharge monitoring data (2015-2020)
PDF
2.72 MB
QMM water discharge monitoring data (2015-2020) [FR]
PDF
2.71 MB

Monitoring 

We conduct an extensive monitoring program on water quality within the mine lease area and around Mandena, in compliance with regulatory requirements. We also conduct additional monitoring and sampling of groundwater, surface water, and marine water quality for the Port of Ehoala’s activities as part of this program.

Our river water monitoring in action (view French version)

In addition to QMM’s approved release point (WMC603), 2 sampling stations in the Mandromondromotra River have been selected to represent river quality data upstream and downstream of the approved release point. The map below shows the sampling station locations:  

  • WMC603: current approved release point for the operations
  • S46: located in the Mandromondromotra River upstream of mining operations
  • S41: located in the Mandromondromotra River downstream of mining operation
QMM mandena site plan
Monitoring map from the 2024 Water Report
  • wave

QMM water dashboard

In response to stakeholders’ interest in receiving ongoing information on QMM’s water management and performance, QMM has made available a monthly water dashboard.
View dashboard View dashboard [FR]

Working with the community 

The communities where we operate are central to our water management strategy and sustainable mining vision.  

We are implementing a community-centred water monitoring approach focused on:

  • Information sharing: We actively engage with communities to explain how we operate and use water, and to learn about their water needs. In 2024, we hosted more than 500 people at site to explain how we operate and our water management process. QMM's mobile community kiosks have reached over 3,500 people, providing community members with an opportunity to better understand QMM's operations and ask questions and raise concerns. 
  • Community monitoring program: We are progressing a community monitoring program which includes community insights on weather, aquatic life, water and other environmental factors, to help our environmental assessments and foster a shared understanding of the ecosystem. Experts in citizen science from the University College London visited QMM in October 2024, to understand the local context and discuss a potential framework that may be suitable for the Malagasy environment. We aim to begin a pilot in 2025.
A lady filing water in her green bucket

Improving access to potable water in Fort Dauphin

We are committed to playing our part in helping our host communities 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 starting in 2025 is the rehabilitation of the state-owned Lanirano water station, which supplies water to the town of Fort Dauphin, with a budget of $1.2 million.   

The community development program also includes projects which assist with the restoration of potable water fountains in 3 communes neighbouring the mine.   

QMM’s donation to fisherfolk

In February 2025, QMM donated fishing boats and nets, along with GPS and other fishing equipment, to local communities, as part of the goal to promote sustainable fishing in partnership with Aquatic Services.
Picture of 3 wooden boats with paddles and group of fishermen

Related content

QMM from the air

QIT Madagascar Minerals

Our operation near Fort Dauphin in the Anosy region of south-eastern Madagascar produces ilmenite, which is a major source of titanium dioxide
Handicrafts produced by Kanto, a cooperative in Ambinanibe, Fort Dauphin

QMM communities

At QMM, we aim to work in ways that deliver sustained value for both our business and our host communities.
Public jetty at Inverell Bay, Nhulunbuy, Gove

Water

We see ourselves as water stewards and take that commitment seriously