Wrap Text
Update - United Kingdom group action
BHP Group Limited
BHP Group Limited ABN 49 004 028 077
Registered in Australia
Registered Office: Level 18, 171 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000
Share code: BHG
ISIN: AU000000BHP4
BHP Group Limited
Exchange release
14 November 2025
Update – United Kingdom group action
BHP confirms that the English High Court has found BHP liable under Brazilian law for the 2015
Fundão dam failure. Any assessment of damages will be determined in future second and third stage
trials expected to complete in 2028 or 2029.
BHP intends to appeal the decision and will continue to defend the UK group action.
BHP has supported extensive remediation and compensation efforts in Brazil since 2015. In October
2024, BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda (BHP Brasil) (a subsidiary of BHP Group Limited), Vale S.A. (Vale)
and Samarco Mineração S.A. (Samarco) entered into a US$32 billion comprehensive agreement with
Brazil public authorities and public defenders for a full and final settlement of key claims in Brazil in
relation to the dam failure (Brazil Agreement).
More than 610,000 people have already been compensated in Brazil, including approximately
240,000 claimants from the UK group action who have provided releases for related claims. The
English High Court decision upholds the validity of these releases which should reduce the size and
value of the claims in the UK group action.
BHP believes the UK group action is duplicative of remediation and compensation that has already
occurred in Brazil or which is available under the Brazil Agreement.
Expected cash outflows relating to Samarco remain largely aligned with the US$2.2 billion for FY2026
and US$0.5 billion for FY2027 included in BHP's FY2025 results announcement. Approximately US$1
billion has been spent to date in FY2026.
The Fundão dam failure and UK group action
The Fundão dam was owned and operated by Samarco, a non-operated joint venture between BHP
Brasil (a subsidiary of BHP Group Limited) and Vale. Each of BHP Brasil and Vale holds 50 per cent
of Samarco. As stated in BHP's 2025 Annual Report, these proceedings have been brought against
BHP Group Limited (the parent company of BHP Brasil) (BHP), and BHP Group (UK) Limited (the
former dual listed UK entity) in the English High Court by over 600,000 claimants seeking damages in
relation to the Fundão dam failure in 2015.
The decision and next steps
The decision by the English High Court follows a five-month first stage trial of the UK group action.
The English High Court has found that BHP is liable on the basis that it is a 'polluter' under Brazilian
environmental law and at fault under the Brazilian civil code. The English High Court rejected the
argument that BHP is liable under Brazilian corporate law. The decision relates to events that
occurred in the period before November 2015.
The English High Court also found that the waivers and releases signed by claimants who have
already received compensation in Brazil are valid. This should reduce the size and value of the claims
in the UK group action.
Subject to BHP's appeal, a second stage trial will decide whether losses claimed by the claimants
were caused by the dam failure. This trial is currently scheduled for October 2026 to March 2027.
Following any decision and appeals in that trial, a stage 3 trial may also be required, where each
remaining claimant would need to prove their individual damages before BHP is required to make any
payments to them. This third trial is unlikely to occur before 2028.
Remediation and compensation in Brazil
The Fundão dam failure at Samarco was a tragedy that should never have happened.
Since 2015, BHP Brasil, Vale and Samarco have provided US$13.4 billion for reparation and
compensation to affected people and to Public Authorities in Brazil. In total, compensation and
financial aid has been paid to more than 610,000 people who have received approximately US$6.3
billion. This includes approximately 240,000 claimants in the UK group action who have been
compensated in Brazil and signed releases for related claims. Additionally, remediation of the
environment affected by the dam failure is substantially complete and resettlement of the communities
of Novo Bento Rodrigues and Paracatu is 98% complete.
Samarco, BHP Brasil and Vale continue to implement the agreement reached with the Brazilian public
authorities and public defenders in October 2024 which provides R$170 billion (US$32 billion) for
reparation of the impacts of the dam failure, including water sanitation, the public health system,
economic recovery, local infrastructure, collective damages for affected Indigenous and Traditional
Communities and Brazilian Municipalities and income support for the most vulnerable people in the
affected regions.
BHP remains confident that the Brazil Agreement agreed with local Brazilian authorities provides the
quickest and most effective mechanisms to compensate those impacted by the Samarco dam failure.
Provision for the Fundão dam failure
At 30 June 2025, the UK group action was disclosed as a contingent liability, as the Group's liability
was yet to be established. As a result of the decision, BHP will update its existing provision to reflect
this claim.
At 30 June 2025, BHP had recognised a provision in respect of its obligations under the agreement
reached with Public Authorities in Brazil of US$5.8 billion. BHP now estimates an aggregate provision
of US$5.5 billion at 31 October 2025. This reflects approximately US$1B spent from 1 July 2025 to 31
October 2025 on implementing the Brazil Agreement, an updated assessment of Brazil Agreement
obligations, an assessment of the impact of the decision in the UK group action, and the unwind of
discounting and impact of foreign exchange movements.
While the provision has been measured based on the latest information available, changes in facts
and circumstances are likely in the future and may lead to material revisions to the provision. There is
a risk that outcomes may be materially higher or lower than amounts currently reflected in the
provision.
Expected cash outflows relating to Samarco remain largely aligned with the US$2.2 billion for FY2026
and US$0.5 billion for FY2027, included in BHP's FY2025 results announcement. Approximately
US$1 billion has been spent to date in FY2026.
As previously announced, BHP, BHP Brasil and Vale entered into an agreement in July 2024 where
BHP and Vale agreed to each pay 50% of any amounts payable to the claimants in the UK group
action and the separate Dutch group action.
Sponsor: J.P. Morgan Equities South Africa Proprietary Limited
Authorised for release by Stefanie Wilkinson, Group Company Secretary.
BHP Group Limited ABN 49 004 028 077
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BHP Group Limited
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BHP Group Limited ABN 49 004 028 077
Date: 14-11-2025 11:44:00
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