Evion Group NL continues to advance its Maniry Community Development Plan in Madagascar, achieving significant milestones in recent weeks. The company has secured further endorsements from the local community, reinforcing strong support for the development of the Maniry Graphite Project.
A key regulatory step is also progressing, with officials from the Office of National pour l’Environnement (ONE) set to conduct a site visit in the coming weeks. An agreement has been reached on the final pathway for securing Evion’s environmental approval, marking a crucial step toward project development.
In parallel, Evion’s engagement with the Madagascar government remains active. Ongoing discussions with the Minister of Mines, Dr Olivier Rakotomalala, and his advisers have resulted in an agreed development pathway for the Maniry Graphite Project. Managing director David Round is scheduled to visit Madagascar next week for a series of meetings with the Mines Ministry, as well as representatives from the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), amid growing international interest in Madagascar’s graphite sector.
Additionally, Evion continues negotiations with the EU regarding its grant application under the Strategic Project (Critical Raw Materials) Program. This initiative aligns with Madagascar’s expanding role in the global graphite supply chain, as the country is now recognised as the largest producer and exporter of graphite outside of China. With demand for this critical mineral expected to rise significantly over the next decade, Evion is positioning itself to capitalise on emerging opportunities in the sector.
"Ongoing, substantial developments have occurred in Madagascar over the last month as we continue to conclude all regulatory matters in order to be granted environmental and mining permits by the Malagasy Government,” Evion Group managing director David Round said.
“We are delighted with the support of the Maniry community to develop our Project. The Project will provide substantial regional employment opportunities, and we are committed to working with the local community on a range of upgrades to infrastructure, to support educational and healthcare facilities.
“We are also working closely with members of the EU advisory team in Madagascar as part of our recent application to provide critical minerals to the EU in the future. I have a range of meetings scheduled for next week in Madagascar, including with the Mines Ministry, and we hope to conclude a formal plan on the timeframe for the development of the Maniry Graphite Project.
“This is indeed an exciting time for the development of our Project in Madagascar, and we look forward to formalising a number of important matters over the short term."
Mining licenses and environmental approvals for Maniry Project move forward
The Mines Minister of Madagascar has authorised the Bureau du Cadastre Minier de Madagascar (BCMM) to proceed with converting Evion’s Exploration Licences (PRs) into Mining Licences (PEs) for the Maniry Graphite Project. This final approval will enable Evion to advance into the mine development phase.
The official conversion will follow site visits by Madagascar’s National Office for the Environment (ONE) in the coming weeks. These visits will assess Evion’s Environmental Plan and Community Development Plan, which includes a Relocation Action Plan. Local community support remains strong, with outstanding matters expected to be finalised soon.
Community engagement and infrastructure development
In January 2025, Evion Managing Director David Round and in-country General Manager Lydia Boarlaza met with Maniry community leaders, including Princess Zoendreniny. The community reaffirmed its support for the project, while Evion outlined plans for infrastructure, employment opportunities, healthcare, and education for local workers and their families. Further meetings are scheduled to finalise the Community Development Plan.
Strategic project status and global graphite supply
Evion has applied for the Maniry Project to be recognised as a “Strategic Project” under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act. This designation would provide support for Maniry’s development as a key supplier of battery-grade graphite to the EU. Round is set to meet with EU advisers and IMF representatives in Madagascar next week.
Madagascar has emerged as the largest graphite producer outside China, with exports to Europe, the USA, and Asia. China’s export restrictions could further accelerate Madagascar’s expansion as a key global supplier of natural graphite.
Upcoming Milestones for Evion
The Evion team expects several key milestones to be confirmed in the short term, including:
- Environmental Action Plan Approval – Confirmation and endorsement by the Office National pour l’Environnement (ONE) following their site visits.
- Mining Licence Conversion – Approval from the Bureau du Cadastre Minier de Madagascar (BCMM) to convert all mining licences, enabling Evion to advance towards the financing and development phase.
- Government Agreement – A formal agreement with the Malagasy government on implementing the commitments outlined in the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), including a defined development timeline.
- EU Engagement – Continued proactive discussions with the European Union (EU) to support the development of the Maniry project.