Madagascar Communities Sue Rio Tinto Over Lead and Uranium Pollution Claims

More than 6,500 people living near Rio Tinto's QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) mine have filed a claim in the High Court in London, alleging that the mine discharged acidic wastewater containing lead, uranium and other metals into local lakes and rivers used for drinking, cooking and irrigation. The claim, brought by law firm Leigh Day, notes that over 2,000 of the claimants are children. Rio Tinto confirmed it has been notified of the lawsuit but says it has not yet seen the claim documents, and it cites its 2025 Water Report, which reports that regulated metals and uranium were below laboratory detection limits in surrounding waterways.

The QMM mine, which Rio Tinto owns 80% of and produces ilmenite for titanium dioxide, was halted for five days in May 2022 after community protests over a water release that was followed by dead fish, though the company says testing found no link. The villagers are seeking compensation and court orders to stop further contamination and to remediate the environment. The Jesuits in Britain have indicated they may divest their stake in Rio Tinto over unresolved environmental concerns in Madagascar and Guinea.