Key facts
- 19 new Brazilian cities, including Mariana, have joined the compensation agreement for the 2015 dam collapse.
- The deal now includes 45 out of 49 eligible municipalities.
- The agreement provides 170 billion reais in compensation and reparations, with 6 billion reais allocated to cities.
- BHP was previously ruled responsible for the collapse under Brazilian law by a London High Court.
- A separate trial for damages in the UK is scheduled for April 2027.
The compensation agreement stemming from the 2015 dam collapse in Mariana, Brazil, has seen significant expansion, with 19 additional cities, including Mariana itself, joining the deal. This brings the total number of participating municipalities to 45 out of the 49 eligible. The agreement, ratified in October 2024, aims to provide 170 billion reais ($32.74 billion) in compensation and reparations for the environmental disaster, with 6 billion reais designated for the affected cities.
Initially, only 26 cities had joined the agreement as of March 2025, with many expressing dissatisfaction that the 170 billion-real sum was insufficient to cover the extensive damages. This resistance was partly fueled by ongoing parallel legal action against BHP in London, which could potentially result in higher compensation. In November, London's High Court affirmed BHP's responsibility under Brazilian law for the collapse, with a trial to determine damages anticipated for April 2027.
The participation of these cities is considered crucial for Samarco as it seeks to overcome the lingering uncertainties from the disaster. Mariana Mayor Juliano Duarte hailed the development as a "historic victory for the city," while acknowledging that individuals and companies remain involved in the UK lawsuit.