Evion Group NL is advancing its Maniry Graphite Mine in southern Madagascar towards final environmental approvals, following successful community engagement initiatives and regulatory progress.
More than 100 families in the Maniry region have now signed formal agreements supporting the development of the project. These agreements form a cornerstone of Evion’s Community Development Plan (CDP), which is a prerequisite for the start of mine construction.
With local community support secured, Evion is preparing to lodge its final CDP alongside the Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) with Madagascar’s national environmental agency, the Office National pour l’Environnement (ONE). The company has also reached consensus with ONE on the final approval process, with official site visits scheduled to take place within the next 60 days to confirm the plan’s endorsement.
The Maniry Graphite Mine is now positioned for near-term development, coinciding with Madagascar’s role as host of the Indian Ocean Commission Summit—an event expected to strengthen economic ties with European partners.
Evion sees the alignment of community, government and international interest as a key signal of confidence in the project’s viability and strategic relevance in global graphite supply chains.
“Securing formal agreements with over 100 local families in the Maniry region marks a pivotal step toward advancing the Maniry Graphite Mine. This level of community support reflects the strong, longstanding relationships Evion has built and underpins our pathway to development,” Evion’s managing director David Round said.
“As part of this partnership, we are committed to delivering tangible benefits, including employment for 400–500 local people, improved health care and education, and enhanced local infrastructure.
“With community agreements in place and the regulatory pathway defined, we now expect formal endorsement of our Community Development Plan and Environmental Plan by Madagascar’s environmental authority (ONE) in the near term. These approvals will enable us to move decisively toward mine development, aligning with both local aspirations and broader supply chain demands.
“We have kept Government officials fully updated with developments and we expect to achieve formal approval from ONE in the short term for our detailed Community Development and Environmental Plans.”
Significant progress in CDP
Evion outlined the significant progress made in its CDP and permitting activities for Maniry.
The CDP proposes substantial local investment, including the creation of more than 400 jobs, support for local contractors and businesses, and the construction of schools and onsite medical facilities. Additional initiatives include the development of water wells, infrastructure for the broader community, and provision of relocation housing for families.
The CDP aims to deliver lasting social and economic benefits and has been formally submitted to Madagascar’s environmental authority, the National Office for the Environment (Office National pour l’Environnement, ONE), with endorsement anticipated in the near term. This approval will support project advancement and reinforce Evion’s alignment with local communities.
Permit renewal
The company is also working closely with Madagascar’s Ministry of Mines to renew its existing exploration permits. These renewals are expected within weeks and will enable the conversion to full exploitation licences, securing tenure over the project areas defined in Evion’s Definitive Feasibility Study released in November 2022.
Evion’s permitting and development efforts are occurring against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Summit, currently hosted in Madagascar and attended by international dignitaries, including French President Emmanuel Macron. The summit signals growing European interest in strengthening economic ties with Madagascar, particularly in mining and infrastructure development.
Evion’s proposed Maniry Graphite Mine adjacent to Next Sources’ Molo operation – Southern Madagascar.
Evion continues to engage with European Union stakeholders to position the Maniry Project within these emerging strategic and supply chain frameworks.
What’s next?
- Formal lodgement and anticipated approval of the Environmental Plan (EIE) and Community Development Plan (CDP) by Madagascar’s environmental authority (ONE), following upcoming site visits.
- Conversion of all exploration permits (PRs) to mining licences (PEs) by the Bureau du Cadastre Minier de Madagascar (BCMM), securing tenure across the Maniry Project.
- Execution of a formal agreement with the Malagasy government to confirm Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) obligations and establish a clear development timeline.
- Ongoing engagement with the European Union to ensure Maniry’s development is aligned with strategic supply chain objectives under the Critical Raw Materials Act.
- Advancement of funding discussions with designated advisers to support commencement of project development.