Home / Disasters and Accidents / UK Court Upholds BHP Liability in Brazil Dam Collapse
UK Court Upholds BHP Liability in Brazil Dam Collapse
6 May
Summary
- BHP cannot appeal UK ruling on 2015 Brazilian dam collapse.
- The disaster killed 19 people and left thousands homeless.
- A damages trial is now expected to begin in April 2027.
In a significant legal development, London's Court of Appeal has ruled that BHP cannot appeal a prior UK judgment holding it liable for the 2015 collapse of the Fundao dam in southeastern Brazil. The dam was operated by Samarco, a joint venture involving BHP and Brazilian company Vale.
The catastrophic failure of the Fundao dam, considered Brazil's worst environmental disaster, unleashed a torrent of toxic sludge. This disaster resulted in the tragic deaths of 19 individuals and rendered thousands homeless. The environmental impact was profound, flooding forests and severely polluting the Doce River.
The initial ruling by London's High Court in November found BHP legally responsible under Brazilian law for the dam's collapse. Following the High Court's refusal to grant an appeal in January, BHP directly petitioned the Court of Appeal. However, the appellate court rejected this bid on Wednesday, stating that substantial evidence supported the High Court's conclusions.
With the initial stage of determining liability concluded, the case will now proceed to a further trial to ascertain the extent of damages owed. This damages trial is anticipated to begin in April 2027.
