BHP Billiton's burst Brazilian dam likely to stay shut for years

Deutsche Bank says the Brazilian iron ore operation at the centre of the deadly mudslide disaster plaguing BHP Billiton and Vale is likely to stay shut for more than three years, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

And there are question marks about whether the Samarco operation, owned in equal part by BHP and Vale, in the state of Minas Gerais, will ever reopen.

BHP doubles payment terms on $14B of supply contracts

BHP Billiton is pushing out its payment terms on $14 billion of supply contracts to 60 days from 30 days after a review found its existing deal was “significantly shorter than the standard terms in the marketplace”, according to the Australian Financial Review.

While the move will improve BHP's working capital, it will also come as a blow to many of the company's 20,000 suppliers. BHP has long had a reputation as one of the quickest payers in the mining sector.

Macmahon shareholders sue over disclosure relating to infrastructure project

Shareholders in Macmahon Holdings want to sue the mining services company over its alleged delay in revealing information about problems with a major infrastructure project in 2012, according to the Australian Financial Review.

ACA Lawyers has filed a multimillion dollar class action against the company, which some shareholders claim breached stock market rules by failing to reveal the financial impact of delays with its Hope Downs 4 rail earthworks and bridge project in Western Australia's Pilbara.