UK Court Holds BHP Liable in Brazil's 2015 Samarco Dam Disaster
UK Court Holds BHP Liable in Brazil's 2015 Samarco Dam Disaster
London court finds BHP responsible for Brazil's worst environmental disaster, as billions in settlements and fees come under scrutiny.
A London court has ruled BHP Group liable in Brazil's worst environmental disaster, the 2015 Samarco dam collapse that killed 19 people, polluted the Doce River, and destroyed hundreds of homes. The case pits Pogust Goodhead, the law firm representing claimants, against BHP, which has denied liability and argued that the English case duplicates Brazilian proceedings and reparation programs.
BHP and Vale set up the Renova Foundation to compensate victims, offering cash or a house in a new city built to replace Novo Bento, and the foundation has disbursed billions of dollars in repair and compensation actions to hundreds of thousands of people. In June, a presentation by BHP and Vale's Samarco venture said around 130,000 people in Brazil had reached settlements with them.
Pogust Goodhead counters that claimants were pressured to settle for far below their true value and that it would seek about £1.3bn in unpaid fees lost as a result. The firm also argued that a $30.3bn compensation agreement signed with Brazil in October 2024 prevented claimants from discussing the deal with the English firm or paying its legal fees. BHP rejected these allegations in their entirety, calling them without merit and vowing to vigorously contest them. The company reiterated that Brazil remains the most appropriate, effective, and efficient place for compensation for the dam collapse.
The disaster unleashed vast environmental damage along the Doce River, underscoring the scale of the collapse where enough mine waste poured into the river to fill thousands of Olympic-size pools. The ruling adds to ongoing scrutiny of multinational mining operations and the complex web of settlements, legal fees, and transparency surrounding victim relief programs.
As the Renova Foundation continues its work to disburse funds, the case highlights the broader debate about corporate accountability across borders and the road to meaningful, transparent compensation for affected communities.
Cover image source: London judge finds global mining giant BHP Group liable in Brazil's worst environmental disaster 🔗
