In brief
Survivors and families of victims share their stories as legal proceedings commence against BHP, seeking accountability for the dam's catastrophic failure in 2015.
In the small town of Bento Rodrigues, Gelvana Rodrigues recalls the devastating day her son Thiago, just seven years old, was swept away during the Mariana dam collapse. “Did you know that you are the best mum in the world?” were Thiago’s last words to her before the toxic sludge inundated their home, claiming his life along with 18 others. This catastrophe, which occurred on November 5, 2015, in Minas Gerais, Brazil, has been labeled the worst environmental disaster in the country’s history.The dam, owned by Samarco—a joint venture between major mining firms Vale and BHP—was designed to contain iron ore mining waste. However, when it collapsed, it released millions of cubic meters of hazardous waste that devastated surrounding communities and polluted local rivers. Gelvana was at work when the disaster struck; her desperate search for Thiago lasted three agonizing days until she received the news of his recovery, marking the point her life lost its meaning.Now, as Gelvana joins over 620,000 claimants in a UK court against BHP, the current civil trial seeks to establish the company’s accountability for the tragic disaster. Legal representatives contend that the trial should take place in London due to BHP's UK headquarters during the incident. Should BHP be found liable, further proceedings will determine compensation amounts for the victims.As communities continue to grapple with the aftermath, resident Marcos Muniz, affectionately known as Marquinhos, reflects on his lifetime in Bento Rodrigues. Having worked for nearly 30 years at Samarco, Marquinhos never anticipated such destruction of the town he loved. Much of his house is now submerged, leaving only remnants that remind him of his past life. The Renova Foundation, created by BHP and Vale, has offered monetary compensation or alternative housing in a newly constructed city called Novo Bento, but Marquinhos fears that relocating would erase his connection to his old community and the way of life he cherished.Despite receiving some compensation, many residents express dissatisfaction with their new lives and worry that their sense of unity is lost in their new environment. Darliza das Graças, who operated a bar in the old town before the destruction, has relocated but admits she misses the closeness of her former community.BHP and Vale maintain that their offers of compensation do not imply admission of liability and argue that the legal cases are unnecessary due to ongoing remediation efforts. Both companies claim to be committed to restoring the environment and aiding affected families, and they recently proposed a significant new financial settlement to the Brazilian government.The UK case, initiated in 2018, aims for what advocates describe as “fair and full compensation” for the harm caused. The potential damages could reach an unprecedented figure in environmental lawsuits, with claimants aiming for $44 billion. Yet for survivors like Gelvana, no financial payout can replace the loss of their loved ones. “Nothing can bring a life back,” she poignantly states, echoing the profound sense of justice that all victims seek—not just for themselves, but for future generations.
