Madagascar takes to mining with wary eye on risks – by Robert Hackwill (September 9, 2016)

http://www.euronews.com/

Target Madagascar travelled to Fort Dauphin in south-east Madagascar where for the last seven years a giant international mining company has worked a 2,800 hectare site of mineral sands. Total cost of the investment? Over seven hundred million million euros.

“We produce ilmenite here, a titanium oxide mineral which is used to make white pigments used in paint and papers, for example, and titanium metal used in aeronautics,” says Rio Tinto geologist Jean-Pascal Valiarimanana.

This one factory can produce 300,000 tonnes of ilmenite annually, but the setting up of the mine, in a three-way partnership between company, state and the Fort Dauphin region has also completely modified the local economy.

“Public security has improved, along with education, health and professional training. Small and medium-sized companies have been promoted to service and maintain the project and workforce and maximise local participation in the development,” says the President of mine operator QMM, Fanja Rakotomalala.

Three hundred and fifty new companies have sprung up in the region, and the mine itself employs 1,400 people. A new road and brand new port are open, with the latter able to take cruise ships.

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