Vale, BHP Billiton and Samarco to pay $350 million to clean up mine

A Brazilian court in the state of Minas Gerais gave Vale, BHP Billiton and Samarco 30 days to pay BRL 1.2 billion ($350 million) to clean up the Samarco mine, following the Mariana disaster, which killed 19 people in November 2015.

The court’s decision follows a comment by a BHP Billiton executive, who said the company was “confident” Samarco could restart in 2017, despite challenges and increasing debt.

If any of the parties fail to make the payment, they can face a daily fine of BRL 1.5 million ($438,468 US), the court decision said.

The court decision was issued after Samarco and its shareholders, Vale and BHP Billiton, failed to comply with several terms that had already been mandated.

The local court also ordered the three parties to prove they have ended iron ore waste leakages in a period of up to 90 days.

They also have six months to present conclusive studies regarding their action plans and the feasibility to clean up the mud that went to the Doce river as a result of the disaster.

Vale said it will appeal the decision.