BHP Faces $47 Billion UK Lawsuit in London's Largest Group Claim Over Deadly Brazil Dam Collapse

Oct 20, 2024, 11:10 PM

Mining giant BHP Group is facing a $47 billion lawsuit in the UK over the 2015 Mariana dam collapse in Brazil, which killed 19 people and destroyed communities along the Rio Doce river. The trial, opening at London's High Court on Monday, involves some 640,000 Brazilian claimants in what is considered the largest group claim in English legal history. The disaster, one of Brazil's worst environmental catastrophes, has prompted increased scrutiny of BHP's environmental record and could set a precedent for future claims against global companies. Concurrently, BHP, along with miners Vale and Samarco, is negotiating a compensation agreement with Brazilian authorities, expected to be officially signed on October 25. The proposed settlement is reported to be worth $30 billion. The dam collapse released toxic waste, causing extensive environmental damage and raising questions about corporate accountability.