BHP Group Limited BHP settlement of Samarco AU securities class

BHP Group Limited BHP settlement of Samarco AU securities class

BHP Group Limited (BHP.AX) has reached a settlement agreement to pay A$110 million to resolve an Australian shareholder class action related to the 2015 Fundão tailings dam collapse in Brazil. The settlement, subject to approval by the Federal Court of Australia, is inclusive of interest and costs [2].

The class action, filed in 2018, represented shareholders who acquired BHP shares between August 2012 and November 2015. The Fundão Dam, owned and operated by Samarco Mineração S.A., a joint venture between BHP Brasil and Vale S.A., collapsed, resulting in 19 deaths, widespread environmental damage, and displacement of hundreds of people [3].

BHP, the world's largest listed miner, has agreed to pay the settlement amount without admitting liability. The company expects to recover most of the payout from its insurers [2]. The settlement follows a 2024 ruling by a Brazilian federal court that Vale, BHP, and Samarco were not criminally liable for the dam collapse [3].

This settlement marks a significant step in BHP's ongoing efforts to address the impacts of the Fundão disaster and resolve legal issues stemming from the incident [4].

References:
[1] Reuters. (2025, September 8). Mining giant BHP settles Australian Samarco class action for $72.5 million. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/mining-giant-bhp-settles-australian-samarco-class-action-725-million-2025-09-08/
[2] BHP. (2025, September 9). Settlement of Samarco Australian securities class action. Retrieved from https://www.bhp.com/news/media-centre/releases/2025/09/settlement-of-samarco-australian-securities-class-action
[3] Marketscreener. (2025, September 8). BHP to pay $72.5 million to settle Samarco class action over 2015 dam collapse. Retrieved from https://www.marketscreener.com/news/bhp-to-pay-72-5-million-to-settle-samarco-class-action-over-2015-dam-collapse-ce7d59dfd889ff2d
[4] Mining Weekly. (2025, September 9). BHP settles Australian Samarco class action for A$110m. Retrieved from https://www.miningweekly.com/article/bhp-settles-australian-samarco-class-action-for-a110m-2025-09-09