BHP Billiton confirms that Samarco has today signed a Preliminary Commitment with Brazilian prosecutors in connection with the State of Minas Gerais. Under the Commitment, Samarco will guarantee the allocation of funds totalling US$260 million (R$1 billion) to an emergency fund following the incident at the Samarco iron ore operation on 5 November 2015.

The Commitment will guarantee funding for a range of emergency measures including prevention, mitigation, remediation and compensation for environmental and social effects of the incident.

Samarco will manage the Emergency Fund in conjunction with the Public Ministry who will also select an independent auditor to audit the fund’s expenses.

Separately, Samarco has also signed a Commitment with authorities in Espirito Santo that covers measures to prevent and mitigate socio-environmental impacts in the state. The measures include ensuring a supply of water in the affected areas, analysis of water quality in the Rio Doce basin and the recovery of fauna in the area.

BHP Billiton fully supports Samarco in taking these necessary steps to enable remediation in the affected areas.