BRASILIA: Brazil's federal and state governments plan to sue the owners of the Samarco iron ore miner for 20 billion reais ($5.24 billion)in damages caused by the burst of a tailings pond dam, Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira told reporters on Friday.
Samarco is a joint venture between the world's largest mining company, BHP Billiton Ltd , and the biggest iron ore miner, Vale SA .
The dam burst earlier this month, unleashing 60 million cubic meters of mud and mine waste that devastated a village, killed at least 13 people and polluted a major river.
Teixeira said the suit will be filed on Monday.
The proceeds will be used for environmental cleanup in the Rio Doce valley.
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