Brazil to file $5.34 billion lawsuit over dam burst

Posted On: Nov. 30, 2015 12:00 AM CST

Brazil's federal and state governments are looking to file a lawsuit against miners BHP Billiton Ltd. and Vale S.A., seeking 20 billion Brazilian reals ($5.34 billion) in damages over a recent dam burst in the country, reports Reuters.

The dam burst happened at a mine co-owned by BHP and Vale.

The disaster killed at least 13 people and caused huge environmental damage.

Brazil's environmental agency has already imposed a fine of BRL 250 million on the mine's operator Samarco Mineracao S.A.