Samarco Update – Preliminary Agreement with Federal Prosecutors

MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 19 -- BHP Billiton issued the following news release:

Samarco Mineracao S.A. (Samarco) and its shareholders, Vale S.A. (Vale) and BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda (BHP Billiton Brasil) have entered into a preliminary agreement with the Federal Prosecutors' Office in Brazil (Federal Prosecutors) in relation to the Fundao tailings dam failure on 5 November 2015 (Preliminary Agreement).

On 2 March 2016, Samarco, Vale, BHP Billiton Brasil and the Brazilian Authorities (as described in the Note below) entered into a Framework Agreement (described in the Note below) for the remediation and compensation of the impacts of the dam failure. The Federal Prosecutors are not a party to the Framework Agreement.

The Preliminary Agreement outlines the process and timeline for negotiation of a settlement of the BRL 155 billion (approximately US$47.5 billion) Civil Claim relating to the dam failure. The Preliminary Agreement provides for the appointment of experts to advise the Federal Prosecutors in relation to the social and environmental impacts of the dam failure, any revisions to the social and environmental remediation programs under the Framework Agreement (Programs) and for the ongoing assessment and monitoring of the Programs. Samarco, Vale and BHP Billiton Brasil will provide existing studies and research to the expert advisors.

The expert advisors' conclusions will be considered in the negotiations of a final settlement arrangement with the Federal Prosecutors, which is expected to occur by 30 June 2017 under the timeframe established in the Preliminary Agreement.

Under the Preliminary Agreement, Samarco, Vale and BHP Billiton Brasil will provide, subject to Court approval, total security of BRL 2.2 billion (approximately US$675 million, 100 per cent basis) to support the payments for the Programs (Interim Security). The Interim Security comprises a charge over Samarco's assets of BRL 800 million (approximately US$245 million), insurance bonds of BRL 1.3 billion (approximately US$400 million), and liquid assets of BRL 100 million (approximately US$30 million).

The Preliminary Agreement also requires Samarco, Vale and BHP Billiton Brasil to advance BRL 200 million (approximately US$60 million, 100 per cent basis) of the funding obligations under the Framework Agreement to Programs for the municipalities of Barra Longa, Rio Doce, Santa Cruz do Escalvado and Ponte Nova. The funds are to be advanced within 90 days after signing of the Preliminary Agreement.

During the period that the Interim Security is in place, it will, subject to Court approval, replace the BRL 1.2 billion injunction (approximately US$370 million) issued in the BRL 20 billion Civil Claim. In addition, the applications by the Federal Prosecutors for the BRL 7.7 billion injunction (approximately US$2.4 billion) in the BRL 155 billion Civil Claim and the BRL 20 billion asset freezing order (approximately US$6 billion) in the criminal proceedings commenced by the Federal Prosecutors in Brazil against Samarco, Vale, BHP Billiton Brasil and others will be suspended.

The parties have agreed that the Interim Security will remain in place until the earlier of 30 June 2017 and the date that a final settlement arrangement is agreed between the Federal Prosecutors, and Samarco, Vale and BHP Billiton Brasil. If a final settlement arrangement is not agreed by 30 June 2017, the Federal Prosecutors may request reinstatement by the Court of the BRL 1.2 billion (approximately US$370 million) injunction.

Any restart of operations at Samarco is subject to a separate set of negotiations with relevant parties and will occur only if it is safe, economically viable and has the support of the community. Resuming operations would require government approvals, the granting of licenses by state authorities, the restructure of Samarco's debt, and the completion of commercial arrangements with Vale regarding the use of its infrastructure.

Note:

BRL 20 billion Civil Claim

On 30 November 2015, a public civil claim was commenced by the Federal Government of Brazil, the states of Espirito Santo and Minas Gerais and other public authorities (Brazilian Authorities) seeking the establishment of a fund of up to BRL 20 billion (approximately US$6 billion) in aggregate for clean-up costs and damages related to the Samarco dam failure (BRL 20 billion Civil Claim). On 18 December 2015, an injunction was granted to, among other things, order Samarco to deposit BRL 2 billion (approximately US$0.6 billion) for community and environmental rehabilitation.

On 2 March 2016, Samarco, Vale, BHP Billiton Brasil and the Brazilian Authorities entered into the Framework Agreement that provides for settlement of the BRL 20 billion Civil Claim by establishing a fund for clean-up costs and remediation and compensation of impacts relating to the Fundao tailings dam failure.

Ratification of the Framework Agreement on 5 May 2016 suspended the BRL 20 billion Civil Claim and the corresponding injunction. Subsequently, on 30 June 2016, both the BRL 20 billion Civil Claim and the injunction were reinstated by the Superior Court of Justice in Brazil. A final decision by the Court on the issue of ratification is pending.

The injunction remains the subject of litigation before Federal Courts. On 17 August 2016, the Federal Court of Appeals confirmed the BRL 2 billion injunction. This decision has been appealed. On 4 November 2016, the 12th Federal Court of Belo Horizonte reduced the BRL 2 billion injunction to BRL 1.2 billion (approximately US$0.4 billion).

BRL 155 billion Civil Claim

On 3 May 2016, the Federal Prosecutors commenced proceedings against Samarco, Vale and BHP Billiton Brasil for BRL 155 billion (approximately US$47.5 billion) for social, environmental and economic compensation relating to the Samarco dam failure (BRL 155 billion Civil Claim).

The claim includes the Federal Prosecutors seeking an injunction order that Samarco, Vale and BHP Billiton Brasil deposit BRL 7.7 billion (approximately US$2.4 billion) into a special company account. The 12th Federal Court of Belo Horizonte has not yet decided on any injunction in the BRL 155 billion Civil Claim.

Effect of the BRL 2.2 billion Interim Security under the Preliminary Agreement

Under the Preliminary Agreement, the parties have agreed to suspend the Federal Prosecutor's BRL 7.7 billion injunction application in the BRL 155 billion Civil Claim and to request that the 12th Federal Court of Belo Horizonte replace the BRL 1.2 billion injunction in the BRL 20 billion Civil Claim with the Interim Security of BRL 2.2 billion (approximately US$675 million). The parties have also agreed under the Preliminary Agreement to suspend the BRL 20 billion asset freezing order application made by the Federal Prosecutors in the criminal charges against Samarco, Vale and BHP Billiton Brasil, and certain individuals in relation to the dam failure.

The parties have agreed that the Interim Security will remain in place until the earlier of 30 June 2017 and the date that a final settlement arrangement is agreed between the Federal Prosecutors, and Samarco, Vale and BHP Billiton Brasil.

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