On October 8, 2026, the authorities of Madagascar’s “Refoundation” regime granted an operating permit for the Ampasindava rare earths project to Harena Rare Earths. We express our deep concern over this decision, taken before the environmental impact assessment and public consultation required to obtain an environmental permit. We denounce a major loophole in the revised 2025 MECIE decree, which allows a mining permit to be granted before these essential environmental procedures are completed. We call for full transparency regarding the proposed extraction methods, independent assessments of the environmental and social risks, and effective protection of local communities, their land, water and biodiversity.
