QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) announced on August 27, 2026, the temporary suspension of its mining operations at the Mandena site in Tolagnaro, following several weeks of disruptions affecting access to the facilities.
According to the company, difficulties began three weeks earlier and repeatedly prevented or complicated access for employees, partners, and service providers to the site. The situation escalated again on August 27 with a third blockade of the access road.
QMM believes these repeated interruptions no longer allow it to guarantee sufficiently safe conditions to continue normal mining activities. The company has therefore decided to suspend them temporarily.
Essential services are not affected by this suspension. Operations necessary for personnel safety and protection of facilities will continue to be ensured during this period.
This decision comes as discussions have been initiated with national and local authorities to allow a return to normal operations. Despite these efforts, the new blockade observed on August 27 led the company to suspend its operations.
QIT Madagascar Minerals affirms its willingness to continue dialogue with all concerned parties and says it is ready to support initiatives to restore circulation around the site.
No resumption date has been announced so far. The company conditions the restart of its operations on the sustainable restoration of satisfactory safety conditions and free circulation to and from the Mandena facilities.
The Mandena site is one of the main activity centers of QIT Madagascar Minerals in Tolagnaro. The announced suspension concerns only mining operations, while functions essential to the safety of personnel and infrastructure are maintained.