A London court has ruled that mining giant BHP is responsible for the collapse of a dam in southeastern Brazil in 2015, a disaster that caused widespread devastation. The high court’s decision comes after hundreds of thousands of people, local governments, and businesses sued BHP over the collapse of the Fundão dam, located in Mariana, Brazil. The dam was owned and operated by Samarco, a joint venture between BHP and Vale.
The collapse unleashed toxic sludge that killed 19 people, displaced thousands, flooded forests, and heavily polluted the Doce River. This event is considered Brazil’s worst environmental disaster. The ruling by Judge Finola O’Farrell found that raising the dam’s height when it was unsafe was the direct cause of the collapse, making BHP liable under Brazilian law.
BHP plans to appeal the ruling and continue fighting the lawsuit. The company stated that 240,000 claimants in Brazil have already been compensated, which it hopes will reduce the claims in the UK court case. An analyst from RBC Capital Markets, Marina Calero, estimated that BHP and Vale could face about $2.2 billion each in additional payments, noting that a final resolution might not come before 2030.
This London lawsuit is separate from a claim against Vale filed in Dutch courts in 2024. Together, these legal actions represent the long road ahead for all parties involved.
Victims and their families welcomed the ruling. Gelvana Rodrigues da Silva, who lost her son in the flood, said the decision shows that BHP must take responsibility and that justice has finally begun for those affected.
The case has drawn sharp criticism of BHP, with claimants’ lawyers accusing the company of stubbornly avoiding accountability since the trial began last year. BHP argues the UK lawsuit overlaps with Brazil’s legal and compensation processes.
In Brazil, the government signed a $31 billion compensation deal with BHP, Vale, and Samarco. Since 2015, BHP says it has spent nearly $12 billion on reparations and payments related to the disaster. The company expects these efforts to significantly reduce the scope of the UK claims.
A second trial focused on the damages BHP may owe is set to start in October 2026. For now, the court ruling marks a significant step in holding those responsible accountable for one of the worst environmental disasters in Brazil’s history.