Mariana Dam Compensation Pact Gains 19 More Cities, Covering 45 of 49 Eligible

A Brazilian court announced on Thursday that 19 additional municipalities, including Mariana—the epicenter of the 2015 disaster—have formally joined the compensation agreement with miners BHP, Vale, and Samarco. This brings the total number of participating cities to 45 out of the 49 eligible to receive funds under the deal.

The agreement, signed and ratified in October 2024, establishes the payment of 170 billion reais (approximately $32.74 billion) in compensation and reparation for one of Brazil's worst environmental catastrophes. Around 6 billion reais of that amount is earmarked specifically for affected cities.

The collapse of the iron ore mine dam, operated by Samarco—a joint venture between Vale and BHP—near Mariana in southeastern Brazil, killed 19 people, displaced hundreds, flooded forests, and polluted the entire length of the Doce River.

As of March 2025, only 26 cities had signed on. Many municipalities initially resisted, arguing that the 170-billion-real figure was insufficient given the scale of the damage. Their hesitation was also fueled by parallel legal proceedings against BHP in London, which could potentially yield even higher compensation. In November, London's High Court ruled that BHP was liable under Brazilian law for the collapse, with a damages trial expected to begin in April 2027.

Mariana's mayor, Juliano Duarte, called the development a "historic victory" for the city. He noted that several individuals and companies remain involved in the UK lawsuit, adding that the city government would continue to support them.

The court stated it remains open to accepting future adherence from the four cities that have yet to join: Ouro Preto, Governador Valadares, and Resplendor in Minas Gerais state, and Colatina in Espirito Santo state.

The expanded participation is seen as a significant step for Samarco as it seeks to move beyond the uncertainties stemming from the collapse.