Brazil dam disaster: 19 more cities join BHP-Vale compensation deal

RIO DE JANEIRO — Nineteen Brazilian cities have formally joined a compensation agreement stemming from the 2015 Mariana dam collapse, according to a ruling by a Brazilian court on Thursday. The agreement, which involves major mining operators BHP, Vale and Samarco, now encompasses the municipality of Mariana itself, which was at the epicentre of the disaster.

The dam failure in the state of Minas Gerais released millions of cubic metres of mining waste into surrounding areas, devastating local communities and the environment. The expansion of the settlement to include additional municipalities marks a significant step in addressing the widespread impact of the disaster across the region.

The inclusion of Mariana and the 18 other cities represents an expansion of the original compensation framework, bringing more affected communities into the formal settlement process. The agreement with the mining companies is expected to provide remediation and financial compensation to residents and local governments impacted by the environmental catastrophe.

BHP and Vale remain among the world's largest mining producers. The Mariana incident prompted increased scrutiny of dam safety practices in the mining industry and led to revised regulations governing tailings management in Brazil.