Plaintiffs’ lawyers have estimated damages ranging from roughly 28 to 41 billion euros, depending on claimant numbers and payout calculations.

BHP plans to appeal the ruling.

Claimants are seeking about 36 billion pounds ($47 billion) in compensation, arguing the Brazil deal is insufficient and that damages should be determined in a later phase, expected to begin in October 2026.

Victims see the ruling as a potential step toward justice after a decade of legal battle, though some feel those responsible have not faced enough consequences.

Law firm Pogust Goodhead, leading the class action, praised the ruling as delivering justice and underscoring a corporate duty of care.

Victims and their lawyers welcomed the ruling as enabling damages claims in England, while many argue current Brazilian settlements don’t cover all affected parties and seek further UK compensation.

The ruling opens the door to potentially tens of billions of pounds in damages for about 620,000 claimants, with a second damages phase planned for October 2026; BHP has signaled it will appeal.

The verdict expands the possibility of substantial UK damages, with a second London trial slated to determine compensation for roughly 620,000 plaintiffs.

About 240,000 of the compensation recipients were part of the London action, potentially reducing the UK action’s size and value.

The case highlights the cross-border nature of megadam liability and the likelihood of multi-jurisdictional compensation claims.

The UK case is seen by some as duplicative of Brazil’s remediation efforts, and the case has evolved over seven years with a full trial allowed after 2022 rulings.

Victimized communities view the ruling as confirmation of negligence and demand accountability from those responsible.

The London High Court ruled that BHP is liable to compensate hundreds of thousands of Brazilians harmed by the 2015 Fundão tailings dam collapse, which killed 19 people and caused extensive environmental damage.

The ruling comes after years of legal wrangling, including questions over whether the case could proceed in English courts.

A second London damages phase is already underway, while a separate Dutch civil case related to the incident has been ongoing since 2024.

There is also an ongoing Dutch civil proceeding connected to the same dam disaster.

The UK case is advancing toward a second damages phase in October 2026, with parallel actions continuing in the Netherlands and Brazil.

The UK lawsuit’s potential value had been up to 36 billion pounds; the trial began in October 2024 and the ruling was issued in November 2025.

Total damages at stake are estimated around 41 billion euros (about 36 billion pounds), varying with how many claimants participate and ongoing Netherlands and Brazil litigation.

A later phase of the case will determine the extent of damages and the exact compensation amounts.

A second damages phase is scheduled to start in October 2026 in London to assess pay-outs, while Brazil’s earlier criminal ruling did not find criminal liability.

The court found the dam failure was a foreseeable risk under Brazilian law, with damages to be determined in later stages expected to conclude around 2028.

The case centers on Samarco, a BHP-Valé joint venture, with BHP’s London presence facilitating the UK civil suit.

Brazil’s federal government previously reached a multibillion-dollar settlement with the mining companies amid ongoing multi-jurisdictional litigation.

Damages will be assessed in later trials, with completion anticipated around 2028 or 2029, prompting BHP to adjust its provisions.

The Doce River disaster continues to impact Indigenous communities and local populations, with long-term environmental and social consequences.

Brazilian authorities acquitted Vale and BHP of criminal charges in 2023/2024 for lack of sufficient evidence, a decision criticized by victims.

The ruling coincides with ongoing lawsuits across jurisdictions, while Brazil’s criminal case ended in acquittals despite ongoing civil actions.

Victims’ lawyers argue BHP was aware of serious risk from the start, while BHP says it acted responsibly and prioritized safety.

Hundreds of thousands of Brazilians, dozens of local governments, and about 2,000 businesses are plaintiffs in related litigation against BHP.