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Mining group BHP has been found legally liable for one of the worst environmental disasters in the history of Brazil, in a landmark class action case over the 2015 Mariana dam collapse.
The High Court in London on Friday ruled that BHP, the world’s biggest mining company, was “strictly liable for damage caused to the environment and to third parties by the collapse of the dam”.
Lawyers acting on behalf of more than 620,000 alleged victims are seeking up to £36bn in compensation from BHP and Vale, which jointly own the Samarco iron ore project where the tragedy occurred.
The disaster killed 19 people and toxic sludge released from behind a tailings dam contaminated hundreds of kilometres of waterways.
The amount of compensation to be awarded by the court is to be decided in a later trial, scheduled for October 2026. BHP and Vale have agreed to split any sums due.
In Brazil, BHP and Vale have already paid $13bn to people affected by the disaster and public authorities, including 575,000 individuals who have received about $6bn.
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