PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mining major BHP Billiton has flagged a possible restart of the Samarco joint venture (JV), in Brazil, in 2017.
The company on Wednesday said that the JV had submitted licensing applications to all the relevant authorities to restart operations at a reduced capacity, with the restart of operations “technically feasible” in 2017.
However, BHP said that the restart would only occur if it was safe to do so, and with all the necessary approvals from the Brazilian authorities in hand.
BHP still faces a number of legal ramifications following the November 2015 tailings spill, which claimed the lives of 19 people.
Among the legal hurdles is a R$155-billion civil claim against BHP and its JV partner Vale for social, environmental and economic compensation relating to the dam failure.
The court has ordered an expert examination in relation to the containment and removal of tailings, and the examination is expected to start in the coming weeks.
The Brazilian Federal Prosecution Office has also filed criminal charges against BHP and some of its current and former employees. The company has maintained its objection to the charges, saying that it will defend the charges.