UK Court Finds BHP Liable for 2015 Mariana Dam Collapse Under Brazilian Law

Overview

• The High Court applied Brazilian law and upheld the validity of releases signed by people compensated in Brazil, which will reduce recoverable sums in London.
• BHP said it will appeal the ruling and argued the English litigation duplicates Brazil’s reparation mechanisms.
• The collective action consolidates roughly 620,000 claimants seeking about R$230 billion in damages.
• Vale, as Samarco’s Brazilian shareholder, is reported to be responsible for half of any eventual award.
• Preparatory hearings for phase two have begun, with individual assessments slated to start in October 2026 and damages determinations expected in 2028–2029.