(Ecofin Agency) - In Madagascar, refusing to move from their homes, the people of Soamahamanina are preventing mining firm Jiuxing Mines from developing gold, zinc, iron, lead and beryllium projects it has there. To oppose the Chinese firm, locals formed VONA, an association that “defends their land, homes, livelihoods, the graves of their people, their natural resources, and preserve the church and school that the miner plans to destroy”.

Disregarding the environmental licence of the firm, which is the last step before getting approval for exploitation, the people of Soamahamanina said mining would negatively impact the environment. The government however gave no favorable answer to their plea, ignoring protests and ultimatum by the populations that passed last September 21.

The situation got worse as the police arrested two leaders of VONA namely Pierre Robson and Tsihoarana Andrianony, after a protest last September 22. Denouncing the “unbearable pressure, fostered by laws in place, from the authorities to turn Madagascar into an Eldorado for mining companies”, the group for the defense of Madagascar’s lands (TANY) launched an international call demanding the release of arrested leaders and for the claims of the people to be met.

After getting environmental authorization on May 26, 2016, the Chinese firm got a 40-year operating licence for its project at Soamahamanina and its neighboring community Arivonimamo II, as well as an exclusive area reservation permit at Morafeno.

With a population of 14,000, Soamahamanina is located in the Miarinarivo district, 70 km from Antananarivo, the capital.

Louis-Nino Kansoun