A London judge ruled Friday that global mining company BHP Group is liable in Brazil’s worst environmental disaster when a dam collapse a decade ago unleashed tons of toxic waste into a major river, killing 19 people and devastating villages downstream.
High Court Justice Finola O’Farrell said that Australia-based BHP was responsible, despite not owning the dam at the time, finding its negligence, carelessness or lack of skill led to the collapse.
Anglo-Australian BHP owns 50 percent of Samarco, the Brazilian company that operates the iron ore mine where the tailings dam ruptured on Nov. 5, 2015.
A decade later, legal disputes have prolonged reconstruction and reparations, and the river is still contaminated with heavy metals.
Victims of the disaster called the ruling a historic victory in seeking justice.
Under the agreement, Samarco agreed to pay 132 billion reais ($23 billion) over 20 years. The payments were meant to compensate for human, environmental, and infrastructure damage.
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London Judge Finds Global Mining Company BHP Group Liable in Brazil’s Worst Environmental Disaster
11/14/2025
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