Samarco Update

RNS Number : 7535J

BHP Group PLC

23 December 2020

 

NEWS RELEASE

Release Time	IMMEDIATE
Date	24 December 2020
Release Number	27/20

Samarco Update

Samarco Mineraço S.A. (Samarco) has met the licensing requirements to restart operations at its Germano complex in Minas Gerais and its Ubu complex in Espírito Santo, Brazil, and has commenced iron ore pellet production.

Samarco's operations were suspended following the failure of the Fundão dam on 5 November 2015.

Samarco's gradual restart of operations incorporates concentrator 3 at the Germano complex and pelletising plant 4 at Ubu, as well as a new system of tailings disposal combining a confined pit and tailings filtering system for dry stacking.

Independent tests have been carried out on Samarco's preparations for a safe restart of operations. Samarco expects initially to produce approximately eight million tonnes of iron ore pellets per annum.

The extensive work undertaken by the Renova Foundation (Renova) to remediate and compensate for the damages of the failure of the Fundão dam in 2015 continues, and BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda. continues to support Renova in its work. By November 2020, Renova had spent approximately BRL 10.7 billion (approximately US$2.1 billion) on its remediation and compensation programs. By November 2020, approximately BRL 3.1 billion (approximately US$620 million) had been paid in indemnities and emergency financial aid to approximately 325,000 people.

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

Authorised for lodgement by: Geof Stapledon Acting Group Company Secretary
Media Relations Email: [e-mail]		Investor Relations Email: [e-mail]
Australia and Asia Gabrielle Notley Tel: [phone]  Mobile: [phone] Europe, Middle East and Africa Neil Burrows Tel: [phone]  Mobile: [phone] Americas Judy Dane Tel: [phone]  Mobile: [phone]		Australia and Asia Tara Dines Tel: [phone]  Mobile: + 61 499 249 005 Europe, Middle East and Africa James Bell Tel: [phone]  Mobile: [phone] Americas Brian Massey Tel: [phone]   Mobile: [phone]
BHP Group Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 LEI WZE1WSENV6JSZFK0JC28 Registered in Australia Registered Office: Level 18, 171 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia Tel [phone] Fax [phone]		BHP Group plc Registration number 3196209 LEI 549300C116EOWV835768 Registered in England and Wales Registered Office: Nova South, 160 Victoria Street London SW1E 5LB United Kingdom Tel [phone] Fax [phone]
Members of the BHP Group which is headquartered in Australia Follow us on social media

 

END

 

 

MSCDZMZZMFGGGZZ