Evion Group NL (ASX:EVG, OTC:EVIGF) continues the development of its Maniry Graphite Project in southern Madagascar with company executives visiting the site along with Malagasy government officials and a delegation of external advisers.
The company hosted a group of external advisors in Madagascar who undertook a site visit and met with local government representatives as part of their review of the Maniry Graphite Project.
Evion executives and their external advisors also met with senior Mines Ministry officials in Madagascar. Discussions were held about the country's commitment to developing graphite mines to help fill the void of graphite required by the electric vehicle and alternative energy markets.
Evion and their advisers spent several days in detailed discussions about their proposed operations, with the discussions continuing in a positive way over the last week. Evion expects to provide a further update on the meetings’ outcomes in due course.
Resettlement Action Plan (RAP)
Additionally, Evion advises that the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) program continues as it holds ongoing productive discussions with local stakeholders and Ampanihy officials.
The RAP, a globally well-developed process, is used to assess land and property values and to support relocation of people and properties. The RAP process is an integral part of the completion and final approval of the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) currently being undertaken by Malagasy authorities (ONE).
The development of the Maniry Project entails the resettlement of a number of households and their property residing within the proposed project area.
These details, along with other information relating to the villages — population, gender split, age, education level etc — were all obtained as part of an extensive census undertaken by Evion and forms the basis of the RAP approach.
The company highlights that cultural considerations are critical to the success of the relocation process. This applies to physical relocation of assets and the cultural awareness required in consultation and in preparation of the development of a resettlement site.
As a result, the company's RAP team comprises consultants with the necessary cultural ties and understanding of the Maniry area. Local specialist consulting group, Resolve Consulting, will provide the necessary advice and oversight to ensure compliance with international standards.
As part of the consultation process, a meeting with the regional body, OMC (Organe Mixte De Conception), was recently held in the Amapanihy area.
OMC consists of all the main representatives of the state including the chief of district, the prosecutor, the heads of the local police and gendarmerie, the heads of the local education and finances departments and the mayor of Maniry. This meeting was an important step as the OMC will later be included in the "Public Consultation" process.
Evion will continue to hold formal meetings and discussions with local community and government as it concludes RAP current negotiations.
MAIN IMAGE: A recent meeting with OMC members.