An independent study on the Rio Tinto QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) ilmenite mine in Madagascar found no cause for concern over local radiation levels.
Rio Tinto reported that five testing cycles from November 2019 to October 2022 indicated that local air, water, food and dust are safe from a radiological standpoint.
Experts from JBS&G Australia evaluated QMM’s radiation levels and found them to be well below both national and international safety guidelines.
The study, hailed by Rio Tinto as one of the most comprehensive and rigorous assessments ever undertaken in this field, serves as a cornerstone in QMM’s steadfast commitment to following international best practices concerning both environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Aimed at a meticulous evaluation of radiation levels emanating from natural environmental sources as well as those possibly introduced by mining activities, the study involved an exhaustive collection process.
Over 260 diverse samples were collected, including but not limited to surface water, groundwater, soil, sediment, and air. These samples were then subjected to a range of advanced analytical techniques that had been fine-tuned for this specific study, ensuring the highest level of accuracy and reliability in the resultant data.
Upon completion, the study’s critical findings were promptly shared with key regulatory bodies, namely the Office National de l’Environnement and Autorité Nationale De l’Eau et de l’Assainissement.
These organizations are responsible for the ongoing monitoring of radiation levels at the QMM mining site and will likely utilize the study’s results in future assessments and policy-making.
In a communication to its shareholders, Rio Tinto emphasized that QMM continues to prioritize the effective management of both radiation levels and water quality at its Madagascar mining operations.
Additionally, the company pledged to maintain a transparent and collaborative relationship with both regulatory agencies and the communities in which it operates. QMM has committed to regular monitoring exercises that are strategically aligned with both international guidelines and local regulatory requirements to ensure the health and safety of the environment and the community.
