Overview
- The court found BHP strictly liable as a polluter and at fault under Brazilian law, ruling that unsafe height increases at the Fundão tailings dam directly caused the 2015 collapse that killed 19 people.
- The London group action, enabled by BHP’s UK presence, spans roughly 600,000–620,000 people, dozens of municipalities and thousands of businesses seeking up to £36 billion.
- Prior Brazilian compensation does not automatically bar UK claims, though waivers and payments may limit recovery, with BHP saying about 240,000 UK claimants have already been paid in Brazil.
- A separate damages phase is being prepared, with a trial listed for 2026 to quantify compensation alongside Brazil’s 132 billion reais settlement framework.
- BHP says it will appeal the ruling and noted a share-price drop of more than 2% in London, while Vale remains liable for half of any eventual award tied to Samarco.