The plaintiffs in the case were those who bought BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc American Depositary Receipts between September 25 2014 and November 30 2015.

While BHP has agreed to pay the plaintiffs $50 million, it is making no admission of liability.

The agreement is subject to the District Court's approval.

Also on Samarco, the 12^th Federal Court of Minas Gerais has formally ratified a governance agreement BHP and various parties entered into to settle a 20 billion Brazilian real (A$7.1 billion) civil claim relating to the dam disaster.

The governance agreement is designed to improve community participation in decisions related to the remediation and compensation programs under the Framework Agreement and establishes a process ...