New report by Transparency International Initiative Madagascar assesses the graphite mining project in Ambahita, Ambararata, and Ankalimboro, Bekily District, Androy Region, southwest Madagascar, undertaken by Gold Sand SARL and its partners, including Western International Holdings (now known as Yaobai International), Xinkuangye Kaifa, and COPAX. The investigation reveals serious issues in labor, environmental, and social responsibility aspects of the project, including social and labor rights, sexual harassment, verbal abuse, absence of grievance mechanisms, violating local customs and beliefs, destroying ancestral graves, forced relocation without promised compensation. Access to judicial remedies was severely restricted, with local communities largely remaining silent due to fear of retaliation, and distrust in the legal system.

Environmentally, the project was alleged to have impacted ecosystems: mining and transportation generated significant dust pollution; soil degradation from excavation and heavy machinery rollover, damaging agricultural production; water pollution from discharges affecting drinking water and irrigation; and localized deforestation and ecological fragmentation. The 2016 and 2023 revised Environmental and Social Commitment Letters included school and medical facility construction and road repairs, with an actual fulfillment rate of less than 17%.

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Gold Sand SARL's parent company, Ruima Mining Investment and its partner Yaobai International Holding Limited (formerly known as China West International Holding Limited) to comment on the report. They did not respond.