Brazil to sue BHP, Vale for $5 bln in damages for dam burst (updated)

Valecha Engineering

27/11/2015 19:17

(Adds proceeds to be used for environmental cleanup, details of 
disaster) 
    BRASILIA, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Brazil's federal and state 
governments plan to sue the owners of the Samarco iron ore miner 
for 20 billion reais ($5.24 billion)in damages caused by the 
burst of a tailings pond dam, Environment Minister Izabella 
Teixeira told reporters on Friday. 
   Samarco is a joint venture between the world's largest mining 
company, BHP Billiton Ltd  BHP.AX  BHP.N  BLT.L , and the 
biggest iron ore miner, Vale SA  VALE5.SA  VALE.N . 
    The dam burst earlier this month, unleashing 60 million 
cubic meters of mud and mine waste that devastated a village, 
killed at least 13 people and polluted a major river. 
    Teixeira said the suit will be filed on Monday. The proceeds 
will be used for environmental cleanup in the Rio Doce valley. 
    ($1 = 3.8181 Brazilian reais) 
 
 (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu; Editing by Chris Reese and 
Bill Trott) 
 ((anthony.boadle@thomsonreuters.com; +55 61 3426-7018; Reuters 
Messaging: anthony.boadle.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net;)) 
 
Keywords: BRAZIL DAMBURST/DAMAGES