Brazilian pellet producer Samarco, a 50/50 joint venture (JV) between Vale and BHP Billiton, has agreed to pay BRL 40 million ($9.4 million) for collective damages following the Mariana disaster, which halted operations at the company and killed 19 people in November 2015.
A Minas Gerais state labor court said the agreement ends a lawsuit filed by public prosecutors against Samarco, Vale and BHP Billiton. Samarco still depends on pending documents to resume operations.
The local labor court said Samarco committed to taking measures to prevent new accidents at its sites. It also agreed to re-evaluate the condition of its Mariana mine, including equipment and systems.
The court said the deal also ends all or any collective damage lawsuits involving Samarco, Vale and BHP Billiton.