A Brazilian court has denied Samarco’s appeal and has ordered the company to help the city of Colatina, in Espirito Santo state, to treat water from the Doce River, following the Mariana disaster in 2015 that halted pellet production at the company. Samarco is 50/50 joint venture between Vale and BHP Billiton.
The Doce River was affected by the iron ore dam waste burst, and Colatina depends on the Doce River to get drinkable water. The court said Samarco can no longer appeal the decision, but it did not specify the amount of money the company would need to invest to help Colatina city treat water from the Doce River.