Brazilian municipalities continue to join the compensation pact with BHP Group (ASX:BHP), Vale (NYSE:VALE), and Samarco, with 19 more — including the city at the epicentre of the 2015 Mariana dam collapse — now signed on.
In total, 45 of the 49 eligible cities have agreed to the deal ratified in October 2024.
The 2015 dam collapse took place at an iron ore mine owned by Samarco, a joint venture between Vale and BHP. The disaster resulted in the deaths of 19 people, left hundreds homeless, and caused significant flooding and pollution in neighbouring forests and rivers.
The 2024 agreement outlines US$31.7 billion ($44.38 billion) in reparations for the impacts of the dam failure, to be delivered to affected people, communities, and the environment.
As of March 2025, only 26 municipalities had joined the deal, arguing that the amount was not enough to compensate for the damage incurred. Resistance to signing on was also influenced by legal action taking place in London against BHP, seeking additional reparations over the collapse.
In November 2025, London’s High Court ruled that BHP was responsible for the dam collapse under Brazilian law, with a new trial set for April 2027 to determine further damages to be paid.
The Brazilian court has stated that it is open to accepting the four cities that have not yet joined the agreement.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: Samarco
