Brazil files homicide charges against mining giants’ executives over Samarco dam deaths

Brazilian authorities filed charges against21 officials and employees of mining giants BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP), Vale and Samarco, their joint-venture company, for the collapse of the Samarco iron ore mine in November 2015 which killed 19 people. Among those facing charges is Jimmy Wilson, former executive of BHP, who was charged with qualified homicide.

The Samarco Dam collapse is considered the largest environmental disaster in Brazil’s history. After the dam’s collapse, it released millions of tonnes of muddy mine wastes that wiped out several small communities. Thick red sludge flowed into the Rio Doce, one of Brazil’s main rivers, killed fish and fouled the water supplies stretching hundreds of kilometres until it reached the Atlantic Ocean.

In laying the charges against the 21, prosecutors accuse Samarco of ignoring basic responsibilities and not taking into account the fate of the communities downstream, reports The Australian.

Five of the accused are still employed by BHP, three are former employees. Wilson, who headed the iron ore business of BHP, was the company’s nominee on the Samarco board.

Also included in the charge is VOGBR Recursos Hidricas e Geotechnica, a Brazilian engineering company that certified the dam’s safety. BHP Billiton Brasil rejected the charges and say the company’s priority is to defend it from the unfounded criminal charges against its officials and workers.

However, Jose Adericido Leite Sampiao, prosecutor, says Samarco was clearly aware the dam could fail but ignored the dangers and placed higher priority on profits. Samarco denies it has previous knowledge of the risks to the structure.

Prosecutors say if the accused would be convicted, they face up to 54 years of prison term, Sydney Morning Herald reports.