UK Court Holds BHP Liable for Brazilian Dam Disaster

A UK court has determined that the mining company BHP is liable for one of Brazil's most severe environmental disasters in the past decade, following the failure of a waste dam that resulted in the deaths of 19 individuals and the devastation of entire communities.

Justice Finola O'Farrell of the Supreme Court ruled that BHP, while not the direct owner of the dam at the time of the incident, holds responsibility due to its ownership of 50% of Samarco, the Brazilian company operating the iron ore mine where the dam collapsed on November 5, 2015.

The collapse released a staggering volume of waste into the Doce River, equivalent to 13,000 Olympic swimming pools, leading to extensive pollution and ongoing environmental repercussions.

Approximately 600,000 Brazilians are pursuing compensation estimated at £36 billion (around $47 billion). This ruling establishes BHP's liability, with subsequent judicial proceedings set to determine the compensation amount.

The case was filed in the UK because one of BHP's legal entities was registered in London at the time of the incident, allowing British courts to assert jurisdiction.