The end of the problems, perhaps in Fort-Dauphin. Rio Tinto QMM, announced the end of the payment of compensation for fishermen and usufructuaries following the conflict which opposed the two parties for months last year.
More than 5,000 beneficiaries, including usufructuaries and fishermen alike, have received their financial compensation according to the established schedule, QMM said in a press release yesterday. These compensations are related to the damages suffered by the local communities and which are linked to the activities of QMM.
The total amount of the sum distributed on this compensation process amounts to more than 11 billion ariary. The process took seven weeks and the last payment session took place last Saturday. In parallel, training on financial management was provided to beneficiaries to help them better plan and manage their finances.
An agreement was reached in May 2022 to end disputes over land issues on land operated by the company. The final list of beneficiaries eligible for this compensation was drawn up by the joint commissions led by the Anosy region and made up of representatives of the plaintiffs, local traditional chiefs, civil society and the regional technical departments concerned. A mediator was chosen to ensure objectivity and neutrality during this compensation process.
Beyond these one-off repairs, QMM promises to increase its investments within the framework of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy, going from a budget of one million to ten million US dollars for the next three years, with a view to to implement development projects for local communities.