BHP Billiton
(ASX:BHP) says Brazil has commenced proceedings against BHP, Samarco and Vale for the approximately US$43 billion in compensation for its mine disaster in Minas Gerais last year.
BHP says that while it has not yet received any formal notice of the claim it remains committed to helping Samarco rebuild the community and restore the environment following the dam failure.
Furthermore it has an agreement with the Federal Attorney General of Brazil and the affected states for its long term remedial and compensation framework for the impacted area however this agreement remains subject to court approval.
BHP Billiton reported a net loss of $7.85 billion for the six months to end December 2015.
