About QMM

History of QMM

QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) began exploring the Fort-Dauphin region of Madagascar in the late 1980s. At the same time, it began conducting preliminary social and environmental studies. In the mid-1990s, QMM set up a full time social and environmental programme. A legal and fiscal framework agreement between QMM and the Government of Madagascar was concluded in 1998 after several years of negotiations. This was ratified by the Malagasy National Assembly and promulgated into law by the president of Madagascar.

QMM conducted a Social and Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) between 1998 and 2001. The government issued an environmental permit after rigorously reviewing the SEIA, in 2001.

QMM must comply with a series of social and environmental obligations during each phase of the project, from feasibility to closure. This is part of the terms of the permit.

QMM's relationship with QIT, Rio Tinto and Rio Tinto Minerals

Rio Tinto owns 80 per cent of QMM (QIT Madagascar Minerals). The Madagascar Government owns the other 20 per cent.

QMM is part of Rio Tinto Minerals, Rio Tinto's marketing division specialising in industrial minerals borates, titanium dioxide, talc and salt.

QIT (QIT-Fer et Titane) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto, based in Quebec, Canada. QIT’s metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec is being upgraded as part of the Madagascar mineral sands project. QMM's ore will be shipped to Quebec, and processed into high quality titanium dioxide.