Gelvana Rodrigues recalls the last words spoken by her son, Thiago, who was only seven years old when their home was inundated by toxic mud from the catastrophic Mariana dam collapse in Minas Gerais, Brazil on November 5, 2015.
Thiago was one of 19 victims who lost their lives in this environmental calamity, now infamously recognized as the worst in Brazil’s history.
Owned by Samarco—a joint venture between major mining corporations—the dam, which stored waste from iron ore mining, failed, releasing millions of cubic meters of toxic sludge. The ensuing flood devastated communities, obliterated hundreds of residences, and contaminated the local river.
On that fateful day, Gelvana was at work while her son remained home with his grandmother. Upon receiving the tragic news, she rushed back only to find chaos and destruction.
“For three days, I didn’t eat or sleep; I just wanted to find my son,” she recalled. After a harrowing week, she learned that rescuers had discovered Thiago’s body. “That day my life ended, because I lived for him,” she said.
Gelvana is among 620,000 plaintiffs holding BHP accountable in a UK court over the dam disaster. A civil trial is set to commence on October 21, focusing on the potential responsibility of the Anglo-Australian company for the disaster.
If BHP is found liable, a subsequent phase will ascertain entitlement for damages. Additionally, a separate lawsuit against Samarco’s parent entity, Vale, is unfolding in the Netherlands, with thousands of claimants seeking justice.
Both companies have consented that if liability is established, they will share the financial repercussions.
Marcos Muniz, a resident of Bento Rodrigues, expressed disbelief at the disaster that ravaged his lifelong home. “If I had known this would happen, I would have stopped working there,” he stated, reflecting on his deep attachment to his community.
Bento Rodrigues now resembles a ghost town, with homes in ruins and enveloped in mud. Muniz’s house was washed into a nearby lake, with only a small portion remaining visible.
In an effort to address the disaster’s aftermath, BHP and Vale established the Renova Foundation to provide compensation. To date, over $7.7 billion has been allocated for repair and compensation efforts, aiding more than 445,000 affected individuals.
However, both companies maintain that compensation does not imply acceptance of liability. The foundation is committed to crafting a new community, Novo Bento, to replace the old town.
While locals have been relocated, some are concerned that their traditional way of life will vanish in the new urban landscape.
Darliza das Graças, who relocated to Novo Bento a year ago, reminisced about her former community. “Life here is wonderful, but it was hard initially due to the small number of residents. Now, it’s much better,” she said.
Yet, the transition has not been easy for everyone, and some families are still waiting for their new homes to be completed.
Despite their negotiations, BHP and Vale continue to reject liability claims, stating that ongoing compensation initiatives by the Renova Foundation address many grievances.
The companies have recently proposed a renewed compensation package to the Brazilian government, signaling a commitment to addressing the disaster’s fallout. Alongside efforts to rebuild the community, BHP has expressed empathy for the loss suffered by families impacted by the tragedy, reiterating their dedication to environmental rehabilitation.
As the legal battle continues in the UK, claimants aim to secure full compensation for their losses. Legal representatives assert that BHP bore responsibility for the operational oversight of Samarco, which ultimately led to the catastrophic failure of the dam.
If victorious in court, the claimants could secure up to $44 billion in what is projected to be one of the world’s largest collective environmental lawsuits, highlighting the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability.
For many, like Gelvana, the fight is about seeking justice for lost loved ones rather than financial restitution. “There is no money in the world that can replace a life,” she stated, emphasizing the profound impact of the disaster on her life and the lives of others affected.
