BHP Billiton Samarco settlement suspended by Brazil court

BHP Billiton's plans to settle claims over the 2015 Samarco mine disaster suffered a blow on Friday when a Brazilian court reinstated a AUD$8bn public civil claim.

BHP and joint-venture partner Vale agreed a $3bn settlement in March, however Brazil's Superior Court issued an interim order suspending the ratification and reinstated the public civil claim for clean-up costs and damages against Samarco, Vale and BHP.

"BHP Billiton Brasil intends to appeal the decision of the Superior Court of Justice," BHP said in a statement

A burst tailings dam at the mine on November 5 unleashed a mud flow that killed 19 people, left hundreds homeless and polluted a major river.