Ten Years After Mariana Dam Collapse, Reparations Grow as UK Case and River Cleanup Decisions Near

Overview

• In October, BHP’s final filings in England acknowledged ongoing contamination of the Rio Doce, interrupted water capture and increased mental‑health disorders, as the court considers the company’s liability.
• Under the 2024 Novo Acordo, about R$68.4 billion has been disbursed since 2015, including R$14 billion to 288,000 people, and 389 new properties in Bento Rodrigues and Paracatu have been delivered.
• About 8.8 million m³ of mining waste remain in the Risoleta/Candonga reservoir, and Samarco must submit a technical study to IBAMA this week to guide a decision on removal.
• Researchers report lasting ecological simplification in the basin, with native fish reduced, invasive species spreading and slower soil decomposition, even as the quality of recovery remains disputed.
• Affected families describe costlier urban lives, construction defects and weakened community ties in the reassentments, while poor sewage treatment across the basin continues to impede restoration.