Brazilian Court Clears Mining Giants in Fundão Dam Collapse Case

A Brazilian court has cleared mining companies Vale, BHP Group, and Samarco of criminal responsibility for the 2015 Fundão tailings dam collapse. The ruling, contested by Brazil's Federal Prosecutors Office, does not affect ongoing civil proceedings or a separate $31.7 billion civil settlement related to the disaster.

A Brazilian federal court has cleared miners Vale, BHP Group, and their joint venture Samarco of criminal liability concerning the catastrophic 2015 Fundão tailings dam collapse. This development comes amid separate civil proceedings, where the firms have already reached a substantial settlement agreement.

The dam failure, which occurred at an iron ore mine near Mariana, southeastern Brazil, led to 19 fatalities, displacement of hundreds, and considerable environmental damage, including pollution of the Doce River. In her ruling, Judge Patricia de Carvalho emphasized the lack of evidence linking the companies and 21 individuals to direct criminal responsibility for the incident.

This decision is distinct from the $31.7 billion civil agreement designed to resolve numerous lawsuits in Brazil and potentially limit international legal challenges. BHP, which is concurrently addressing a class action in the UK, stated the decision does not impact those proceedings. Vale and Samarco have welcomed the court's ruling, reaffirming their compliance with legal and environmental regulations.

(With inputs from agencies.)