BHP Group (ASX:BHP) has lost the ability to appeal to a ruling from the UK’s High Court for its liability for the 2015 dam collapse in southeastern Brazil, with the court noting “ample evidence” of BHP’s culpability.
In November 2025, the High Court ruled that the company is responsible for the collapse of the Fundão Dam. The dam was previously owned and operated by Samarco, which is a joint venture between BHP and Vale SA (NYSE:VALE).
The dam collapse resulted in a devastating environmental disaster for Brazil, releasing toxic sludge that killed 19 people and left thousands homeless. It also resulted in severe pollution of the Doce River and surrounding forest.
A trial that started in London in 2024 accused BHP of trying to avoid taking responsibility for the disaster. The trial was brought on by hundreds of thousands of Brazilians and others impacted by the disaster.
BHP has argued that the London trial duplicated similar legal proceedings and other reparations it had undertaken in Brazil.
BHP has stated that it has done significant work since 2015 to compensate those impacted by the dam failure, with 40% of the claimant class having received compensation.
The law firm representing the claimants, Pogust Goodhead, called this week’s decision “a further victory” for those impacted by the disaster as well as “a major setback” for BHP.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: BHP
