Mayor of Mariana, Juliano Duarte, and Marcelo Krenak, one of the leaders of the Krenak indigenous community, will be in London for a hearing to organise the second phase of the proceedings, which will deal with damages and compensation for victims
The High Court in London, responsible for the trial against mining company BHP for the Mariana disaster, will hold a preparatory hearing this week, on 2 and 3 July (Wednesday and Thursday), known as a Case Management Conference (CMC), for the second phase of the proceedings, when the damages resulting from the Fundão dam collapse (MG) will be discussed.
The sessions will be attended by the international law firm Pogust Goodhead, which represents approximately 620,000 victims, 31 municipalities, indigenous and quilombola communities, companies and local authorities; and lawyers for the Anglo-Australian mining company BHP, the defendant in the case.
Juliano Duarte, mayor of Mariana, the city most affected by the tragedy, has led the group of mayors who rejected the renegotiation proposal offered by the mining companies and will be in London to attend the CMC. Also in the English capital will be Marcelo Krenak, one of the most important leaders of the Krenak indigenous community, which had the Rio Doce, contaminated by the disaster, as the basis of its culture and livelihood. Both will be available for interviews.
The hearing will define the step-by-step process for the second phase of the trial, which is already scheduled to begin in October 2026, when the damages resulting from the dam collapse and the compensation to be paid to those affected in the event of a conviction will be debated. The Court will determine the list of issues to be addressed during the second phase of the trial, the scope and schedule, and the schedule for a new CMC this year, as well as deadlines for the submission of documents, expert reports, and witness testimony.
The first phase of the trial, which dealt with the liability of mining company BHP for the events that led to the dam collapse, was concluded on 13 March. Judge Finola O’Farrell’s decision is expected in the coming months.
The scheduling of the second phase CMC even before the ruling on the mining company’s liability is released is yet another demonstration of the agility and priority that the English court has given to the Mariana case.
Service:
Hearing of the English Mariana case – Case Management Conference (CMC), 2nd phase (trial for damages)
Date: 2 and 3 July
Time: from 10:00 AM (UK) / 06:00 AM (BR)
Location: Technology and Construction Court (Rolls House, 7 Rolls Building, London EC4A 1NL), London.
