Rio Tinto has restarted its QIT Madagascar Minerals mineral sands mine after coming to an agreement with protesters, Reuters reported.

The mine restarted production on May 23, after a five-day shutdown.

"Following an agreement signed on 22 May between QMM, the authorities, and demonstrators, all roadblocks were dismantled, enabling QMM to resume operations yesterday [23 May]," Rio Tinto told Reuters.

Protesters had been unhappy about the release of mine water into surrounding waters, which resulted in dead fish.

Rio Tinto maintains that there is no connection between wastewater and dead fish, though local government authorities blocked restrictions on fishing after the discovery of the dead fish.

QMM will provide food supplies to the affected fishing communities for the next two months, Reuters reported.

The mine has been providing food to the community starting in mid-March.

The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility warned Rio Tinto on May fifth that the Madagascar mine was "in danger of losing its social licence to operate."

At Rio's AGM in London on April 8, former company chairman Simon Thompson said Ro would build a water treatment plant and work on clean water projects, Reuters reported.

The water treatment plant is expected to be in place in mid-2022, Rio told Reuters this week.

QMM produces ilmenite at the mine, and ships the mineral to Quebec for processing.