London's High Court has ruled that mining giant BHP is liable for the 2015 Fundão dam collapse, Brazil's worst-ever environmental disaster.
The ruling is a major step in a massive group-action lawsuit valued at up to £36 billion (US$48 billion), brought by hundreds of thousands of Brazilians.
The dam, operated by the Samarco JV (co-owned by BHP and Vale), unleashed a torrent of toxic sludge that killed 19 people, destroyed the village of Bento Rodrigues, and polluted the 650km length of the Doce River.
In her ruling, Judge Finola O'Farrell found that continuing to raise the dam's height when it was not safe was the "direct and immediate cause" of its collapse, holding BHP liable under Brazilian law.
BHP, which has already spent nearly $13.4 billion on remediation, immediately confirmed it would appeal. The company argues the London lawsuit duplicates legal proceedings in Brazil.
This ruling marks a pivotal moment in a complex, decade-long legal fallout. Key events include:
- Nov 2015: The Fundão dam collapses.
- 2016: The Renova Foundation is created in Brazil to manage remediation.
- 2018: The UK group-action lawsuit is filed.
- July 2022: The UK Court of Appeal rules the London case can proceed after it was previously blocked.
- Oct 2024: BHP and Vale sign a separate $32 billion settlement with Brazilian authorities to cover local claims.
- Nov 2025: The London High Court finds BHP liable.
BHP noted the court upheld the validity of waivers from 240,000 claimants already compensated in Brazil, which it believes will "significantly reduce the size and value" of the UK claim.
For victims, the decision was a long-awaited victory.
"Finally, justice has begun to be served," said Gelvana Rodrigues da Silva, who lost her seven-year-old son in the disaster.
The ruling only covers liability; future trials, set to begin in October 2026, will determine the damages.
