Samarco funding - restart preparation

RNS Number : 9431R

BHP Group PLC

01 November 2019

 

NEWS RELEASE

Release Time	IMMEDIATE
Date	1 November 2019
Release Number	19/19

Samarco funding - restart preparation

BHP has approved US$44 million for BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda's share of funding for work related to the restart of one concentrator at Samarco Mineração S.A.'s (Samarco) operations at its Germano complex in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Samarco's operations were suspended following the failure of the Fundão dam on 5 November 2015.

The funding will enable the construction of a filtration plant over the next 12 months and the commencement of operation readiness activities for restart.

On Friday 25 October 2019 the Mining Activities Chamber of the State Council for Environmental Policy in Minas Gerais, Brazil, granted the Corrective Operating Licence for Samarco's operating activities at its Germano Complex.

Samarco has now obtained all environmental licenses required to progress towards operational restart. Restart can occur when the filtration system is complete and Samarco has met all necessary safety requirements, and will be subject to final approval by Samarco's shareholders.

BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda. and Vale S.A. each hold a 50 per cent interest in Samarco.

Further information on BHP can be found at: bhp.com

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