Samarco Reparations
Samarco is a non-operated joint venture and BHP Brasil, one of BHP’s subsidiaries, holds a 50 per cent share alongside Vale. Following Samarco’s Fundão dam failure, BHP Brasil made a long-term commitment to support the people, communities and environment affected.
But we can continue to strive to do what's right by the people, the community, and the environments who have been deeply affected by it.
A decade of reparation
Over the past decade, we have worked with society, authorities and partners to advance one of the most complex reparation processes in Brazil’s history. While challenges remain, this ten-year mark is a moment to recognize the commitment and dedication of everyone involved — our teams, communities, public authorities and partners — in building a path toward reparation and sustainability.
At BHP, we reaffirm our support for Samarco and our continued commitment to transparency, responsibility, and respect for the people and territories affected.
Imagery from Samarco, the Doce River and the communities of Novo Bento Rodrigues and Paracatu.
New Doce River Agreement
In October 2024, a comprehensive agreement was finalised between the Federal Government of Brazil, the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, public prosecutors and public defenders (collectively, the Public Authorities) and Samarco, BHP Brasil and Vale (collectively, the Companies).
The agreement provides reparation for the impacts of Samarco’s Fundão dam failure in November 2015 and builds on the existing remediation and compensation work already performed by the Renova Foundation in Brazil.
The New Doce River Agreement is a result of extensive consultation and engagement by the Companies, federal and states governments and other public authorities, including public defenders and prosecutors, over an extended period to address the requirements of those affected.
R$38 billion (US$7.9 billion)
R$100 billion (US$18 billion)
Approximately R$32 billion (US$5.8 billion)
Funding for new community programs
Compensation for Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities
A further compensation and indemnification system
Action so far
Event:
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2015 2015 November: Samarco Fundão dam failure in Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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2016 2015 November: Humanitarian and emergency actions
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2017 2015 December: Housing
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2018 2016 March: Transaction and Conduct Adjustment Agreement
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2019 2016 August: The Renova Foundation begins its work
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2020 2018 June: Signing of the TAC Governance
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2021 2021 April: Mediation by the National Council of Justice
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2022 2021 September: Renegotiation Agreement negotiations
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2023 2023 April: The renegotiation table led by the Regional Federal Court of the 6th Region (TRF-6) opens
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2024 2024 October: Agreement reached between Public Authorities and the Companies, which replaces the TTAC and other previous agreements
On the ground
Progress and performance
The Renova Foundation was established by Brazilian public entities and the Companies in 2016 and executed repair and compensation actions until October 2024. Following the New Doce River Basin Agreement, all reparation measures are under Samarco's or the Federal or States governments' responsibilities.
~US$13.4 billion* (R$ 70 billion)
*includes amounts before and after the New Doce River Agreement.
98%
Over 383
US$4.6 billion*
*Includes payments before and after the New Rio Doce Agreement.
~US$5.6billion (R$ 30 billion)
~US$ 28 million
Approximately 83
1.5 million
~42,700 hectares
More than 610,000 people
Status of legal proceedings
BHP Group Ltd and BHP Group (UK) Ltd (former BHP Group Plc) are defendants in a group action underway in the English Court, filed in 2018 by an English law firm. BHP is defending the claim.
BHP Brasil has been and remains dedicated to supporting reparation and compensation on the ground.
