Multinational resources companies were urged to settle multi-billion debts in relation to a catastrophic failure.
BHP, Vale and their Samarco joint venture should pay compensation for the 2015 Samarco dam collapse according to Minas Gerais’ prosecutor general.
Jarbas Soares Junior wants the proponents to pay up to 47.6 billion reais (A$14.7B) in damages, which a federal judge recently awarded to victims.
If the debt remains unsettled and returns to court, the final amount will be much higher. AMR understands this is because the above amount only covers collective damages, not those affecting states, the environment and other parties involved.
“The total will be very high,” Soares Junior said according to Reuters.
Failing mine infrastructure allegedly caused a major mudslide that killed at least 19 people and polluted the Rio Doce River. Some 28 individuals, including five children and 13 mine workers, were still missing at the time of publication.
The three companies reiterated their commitment to repairing dam collapse damage.
A spokesperson said BHP was “absolutely committed” to reparation, compensation and actively renegotiating. The company also willingly sought solutions that guarantee fair and full reparation to those affected since 2015.
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