High Stakes: BHP Faces Legal Reckoning Over Brazil's Mariana Dam Disaster

BHP faces a landmark lawsuit in London's High Court over Brazil’s 2015 Mariana dam disaster, with claimants seeking £36 billion in damages. Over 600,000 claimants allege BHP's liability for the collapse, which caused widespread environmental damage and loss of life. The hearing will span 12 weeks.

The High Court in London is set to host a landmark hearing as embattled mining giant BHP confronts a colossal lawsuit tied to Brazil's infamous Mariana dam collapse in 2015. Claimants, including 600,000 Brazilians and 46 local governments, seek up to £36 billion ($47 billion) in damages over the catastrophic environmental disaster.

The dam, owned by BHP and Vale through their Samarco joint venture, unleashed a toxic surge that claimed 19 lives while devastating communities and sacred lands. BHP disputes liability, arguing redundancy due to reparations commenced domestically, asserting nearly $8 billion has been disbursed through the Renova Foundation.

As Brazil's government explores a $30 billion compensation package with BHP, Vale, and Samarco, Pogust Goodhead LLP insists only the English lawsuit enforces true accountability. The 12-week hearing will scrutinize BHP's responsibilities under Brazilian law, determine the standing of Brazilian municipalities in the action, and assess the influence of pre-existing settlement agreements.

(With inputs from agencies.)