BHP Group Limited secured a ruling on March 16 2026 that dismissed a UK contempt of court case brought against the company in connection with the 2015 Samarco dam collapse in Brazil. The London court found that BHP had complied with procedural requirements, so it was not in contempt.
The contempt case had alleged that BHP had funded litigation in Brazil through the mining lobby group Ibram to prevent Brazilian municipalities from suing the company in London. The dismissal removes a potential legal liability that could have triggered additional costs or restrictions on BHP’s litigation funding for the Brazil case.
The ruling is expected to reduce BHP’s legal exposure and preserve its ability to manage the ongoing litigation without further court‑ordered sanctions. However, it does not address the underlying liability for the dam collapse. In November 2025, a High Court in London found BHP liable under Brazilian law, a decision BHP is appealing. A second trial to determine damages is scheduled for October 2026.
BHP also faced a £253 million UK legal‑cost demand related to the broader litigation. The court’s decision signals that the UK court will not impose further sanctions on BHP’s litigation funding strategy, allowing the company to focus on the larger liability case.
Investors and analysts will likely view the ruling as a positive development for BHP’s legal strategy, but the larger liability and upcoming damages trial remain the primary focus for the company’s financial outlook.
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