Trial over dam failure in Brazil starts in London

The dam burst on November 5, 2015 caused a huge mudslide that completely flooded the village of Bento Rodrigues. 19 people were killed and more than 600 others were left homeless. The current then headed towards the Atlantic Ocean, killing thousands more animals and destroying hectares of protected rainforest.

BHP is being targeted because it was co-owner, together with Brazil’s Vale, of the mining company Samarco, which included the iron ore waste dam.

The Australian miner says he is “fully aware of the impact”, but finds the process “unnecessary” because the case has already been dealt with in the Brazilian court. According to BHP, more than 430,000 people have already received compensation, including more than 200,000 creditors from the London trial.

In addition to the trial in London, lawsuits are also underway in Brazil, the Netherlands and Australia.

A ruling is scheduled for March.