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

BHP Group said it was waiting to officially receive the court ruling on the 2015 Fundão tailings dam collapse in Brazil after media reports said a lower court has actually ruled that its system and other firms are not criminally responsible for the disaster.

The court discovered there was insufficient proof to develop a causal connection in between the business 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 venture between Vale SA and BHP, near Mariana. in southeastern Brazil, led to 19 deaths, left hundreds of. individuals homeless, flooded forests and polluted the Doce River.

BHP Brasil will think about the decision by the Federal. Court as soon as it has been served with the choice to evaluate. implications and any next actions, it said in a declaration dated. Nov. 15.

Vale did not instantly react to a Reuters demand. for remark.

The court's judgment on criminal charges, filed by Brazil's. Federal District attorneys in 2016, is distinct from the $31.7 billion. civil settlement agreement disclosed on Oct. 25, which deals. with framework commitments and other claims related to the dam. failure.

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

This suit represents a massive group of plaintiffs,. consisting of Brazilian citizens, towns and organizations,. with BHP and Vale accepting divide any damages granted.

This decision does not affect the ongoing class action. trial in the UK, which BHP continues to defend as it duplicates. the efforts currently ongoing in Brazil, BHP said.

BHP Brasil said it will focus on supporting the long-lasting. recovery of communities and the environment affected by the dam. failure.

(source: Reuters)