Archive · 14 Nov 2025
UK Court Rules BHP Liable in 2015 Brazil Dam Collapse Lawsuit
A big company called BHP is being sued in London because a dam they owned in Brazil collapsed in 2015.
This dam broke and spilled out a lot of mud, which hurt people and the environment.
A judge in London said that BHP can be responsible for this disaster.
The company is not happy and plans to argue against this decision.
They also say that many people who are suing in London have already received money in Brazil.
The lawsuit is for a very large amount of money.
London's High Court ruled that BHP can be held liable for the 2015 collapse of the Fundao dam in Brazil.
The lawsuit, filed by Brazilians, local governments, and businesses, was previously valued at up to $48.32 billion.
The court identified the direct cause of the collapse as raising the dam's height when it was unsafe.
BHP intends to appeal the ruling and continue fighting the lawsuit.
BHP stated that compensation has already been paid to 240,000 claimants in Brazil, which they believe will reduce the UK lawsuit's value.
- Who
- BHP, claimants (hundreds of thousands of Brazilians, dozens of local governments, around 2,000 businesses)
- What
- London High Court ruled BHP can be held liable for the 2015 collapse of the Fundao dam.
- When
- Friday (ruling date)
- Where
- London High Court ruling on a case concerning a dam collapse in Mariana, southeastern Brazil.
- Why
- The court found that continuing to raise the dam's height when it was unsafe was the direct and immediate cause of the collapse.
- Lawsuit Value
- Up to 36 billion pounds ($48.32 billion)
- Dam Ownership
- BHP and Vale's Samarco joint venture
- Lawsuit Location
- London, UK
- Judge
- Finola O’Farrell
- Direct Cause Ruling
- Continuing to raise the height of the dam when unsafe