Brazil's federal government has reached a significant settlement with mining companies responsible for a devastating 2015 dam collapse, considered the country's worst environmental disaster. Samarco, a joint venture of Vale and BHP, will pay 132 billion reais ($23 billion) over 20 years to compensate for the human, environmental, and infrastructure damage caused by the release of toxic mining waste into a major river in Minas Gerais state. The disaster claimed 19 lives and caused extensive destruction in the region.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized the mining companies for prioritizing profit over safety, emphasizing the need to rectify a disaster that could have been prevented. The toxic sludge, equivalent to 13,000 Olympic-size swimming pools, contaminated waterways and coastal areas over a vast distance.
The settlement aims to provide compensation to over 300,000 victims, with additional claims totaling 620,000 individuals seeking reparations in a UK court. The agreement includes payments of 35,000 reais ($6,150) per victim and 95,000 reais ($17,000) for fishermen and farmers, distributed over four years.
Despite the financial compensation, many affected individuals like Cristiano Sales, a resident of Bento Rodrigues, expressed that no amount of money can fully restore what was lost. Sales, who received 100,000 reais ($18,000) and continues to pursue further reparations, highlighted the emotional toll of the disaster.
BHP, based in Melbourne, Australia, stated its belief that the UK lawsuit duplicates ongoing reparation efforts in Brazil. However, the law firm representing the plaintiffs emphasized that the Brazilian settlement does not impact the London case and that victims are still seeking full reparations for their losses.
The law firm noted that the agreement in Brazil reflects pressure from public opinion and ongoing legal proceedings, but falls short of adequately addressing the profound losses suffered by the victims. The pursuit of justice and comprehensive reparations continues for those impacted by the tragic dam collapse.
