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BHP awaits ruling after reports that system cleared of criminal charges in 2015 dam catastrophe

BHP Group said it was waiting to formally receive the court judgment on the 2015 Fundão tailings dam collapse in Brazil after media reports stated a lower court has ruled that its unit and other firms are not criminally liable for the catastrophe.

The court found there was insufficient evidence to develop a. causal connection between the companies and the dam failure, the. international mining giant said, pointing out media reports.

A dam collapse at an iron ore mine owned by Samarco, a joint. endeavor in between Vale SA and BHP, near Mariana in. southeastern Brazil, resulted in 19 deaths, left numerous. individuals homeless, flooded forests and polluted the Doce River.

BHP Brasil will think about the choice by the Federal Court. when it has actually been served with the choice to assess implications. and any next actions, it said in a statement dated Nov. 15.

A spokesperson for Vale said, The court's choice. reinforces that the business acted within the law and in. compliance with ecological requirements.

The court's ruling on criminal charges, submitted by Brazil's. Federal Prosecutors in 2016, stands out from the $31.7 billion. civil settlement contract revealed on Oct. 25, which deals. with framework obligations and other claims connected to the dam. failure.

Individually, BHP likewise faces a lawsuit in the UK for the. Samarco dam catastrophe, potentially costing $47 billion in. damages.

This lawsuit represents a massive group of complainants,. consisting of Brazilian residents, towns and organizations,. with BHP and Vale consenting to split any damages awarded.

This decision does not impact the continuous class action. trial in the UK, which BHP continues to protect as it replicates. the efforts currently continuous in Brazil, BHP said.

BHP Brasil stated it will concentrate on supporting the long-lasting. healing of communities and the environment affected by the dam. failure.

(source: Reuters)