Victims celebrate BHP’s condemnation of Mariana Dam collapse

Residents of the Marianas (MG) who lost their families and destroyed their communities celebrated their first real recognition of responsibility since 2015 following a “historic” and “exemplary” judgment condemning Anglo-Australian mining company BHP for the collapse of the Funda Dam. The British court’s decision paves the way for potentially billions of dollars in compensation to more than 600,000 affected residents, businesses, local authorities and traditional organizations. community.

“Historic Day”: Lawyers who represented Mariana victims celebrate UK justice decision
Second phase: A new trial scheduled for 2026 will determine compensation for more than 600,000 people affected by the dam collapse.

— My feeling today is mainly one of gratitude to God, because I never lost faith, — Gervana Rodríguez, the mother of 7-year-old Thiago Damasceno, who was dragged to his death by the waste, said at a press conference by Pogast Goodhead, the law firm representing the victims and the municipality of Marianas. — It was the longest night of my life, and justice has prevailed, my son will now be able to rest in peace.

Mr. Brumadinho: See what the city looked like five years after the dam collapse

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Aerial view of part of the area where the Vale Dam is located, destroyed by mud and where the Brumadinho search station is today — Photo: Douglas Magno / AFP

View of abandoned houses and one street in Cachoeira Park, an area affected by mud from the Vale dam accident in Brumadinho — Photo: Douglas Magno / AFP

The remains of the railway bridge destroyed in the Vale Dam accident in Brumadinho — Photo: Douglas Magno / AFP

4 out of 10 points
Abandoned houses and one street in Cachoeira Park, an area affected by mud from the Vale Dam in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil on January 19, 2024 — Photo: Douglas Magno/AFP

View of the search station on the site of the mine's rail freight terminal before the collapse of the Vale dam in Brumadinho — Photo: Douglas Magno / AFP — 6 out of 10 points
View of the search station on the site of the mine’s rail freight terminal before the collapse of the Vale dam in Brumadinho — Photo: Douglas Magno / AFP

7 out of 10 points
View of the bridge in Cachoeira Park, one of the areas affected by mud from the Vale Dam accident in Brumadinho — Photo: Douglas Magno / AFP

Firefighters collect objects found in the tailings at one of the search stations where the mine's rail freight terminal in Brumadinho was located. — Photo: Douglas Magno/AFP — 8 out of 10 points
Firefighters collect objects found in the tailings at one of the search stations where the mine’s rail freight terminal in Brumadinho was located. — Photo: Douglas Magno/AFP

Location of Vale do Rio Doce's Collego do Feijon mine, where it operates and search for victims of dam collapse — Photo: Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil — 9 out of 10 points
Location of Vale do Rio Doce’s Collego do Feijon mine, where it operates and search for victims of dam collapse — Photo: Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil

A sea of mud destroyed homes and polluted the region’s main river.

The judgment concludes the first phase of a trial that lasted in British courts from October 2024 to March 2025, during which victims, experts and Brazilian authorities detailed the failures that preceded the collapse of the Samarco-operated dam, which is controlled by BHP and Vale. A British court concluded that “unsafe lifting,” or raising a building safely, was the proximate cause of the disaster.

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The parties are currently awaiting the commencement of the second stage of the proceedings, which will include the quantification of damages. The new phase of the trial is expected to begin in October 2026 and last about six months, said Brazilian lawyer Caroline Narváez, who helped defend the victims.

Current Marianas Mayor Giuliano Duarte (PSB), who was involved in the process from the early stages, classified the moment as “historic” and congratulated the city authorities for not accepting the agreement worth 132 billion reais (approximately USD 25 billion) signed by Brazilian authorities at the start of the trial.

— may we move forward in defining our values — he celebrated. — We were pressured to sign, but we didn’t, and we demanded justice.

At the same time as the agreement, a Brazilian court acquitted the companies, arguing that the evidence analyzed was not “determining” to establish liability, and the case was referred to the British judiciary. The firm’s claim to a London court seeks compensation for damages and losses amounting to 36 billion pounds (more than 251 billion reais). However, Narváez stressed at the press conference that the final amount has not yet been determined.

Despite the $1 billion figure, Gervana said he already feels vindicated by the conviction alone.

— My son’s life was precious. He wasn’t for sale. For me, being convicted is justice in itself.