Overview
- Mrs Justice Finola O’Farrell found BHP strictly liable as a 'polluter' and liable for fault, citing the unsafe raising of the dam as the direct cause of collapse.
- BHP said it will appeal and argues prior payouts in Brazil mean about 240,000 claimants in the UK case have already been compensated.
- The case covers more than 600,000 people, municipalities and businesses seeking up to £36 billion, with a damages trial scheduled for October 2026.
- The court said those paid under Brazilian programs may still bring claims, though any waivers could limit awards, alongside a 132 billion reais reparations deal with Samarco.
- The 2015 disaster killed 19 people and sent over 40 million cubic metres of mine waste down the Doce River, devastating communities including the Krenak.