# Mariana Fundão dam disaster legal developments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mariana-fundo-dam-disaster-legal-developments
> Updated: 2026-09-04T12:33:28.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 2.

Legal proceedings regarding the 2015 Fundão dam collapse in Mariana have seen significant developments in civil settlements and criminal convictions.

In August 2026, the municipality of Mariana agreed to a reparation settlement following a repactuation of damages ratified by the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court. Under this agreement, the city will drop a multi-billion real lawsuit in London against BHP in exchange for approximately R$ 1.2 billion and additional negotiated benefits and works for the municipality.

In September 2026, the Federal Regional Court of the 6th Region (TRF-6) overturned a previous acquittal, convicting the mining company Samarco and three former operational managers. The managers—identified as Germano Silva Lopes, Daviély Rodrigues Silva, and Wagner Milagres Alves—received prison sentences ranging from approximately 7 to 9 years for qualified pollution and flooding resulting in death. The court ruled that the company and its executives were aware of the risks but ignored warnings. 

Samarco was also held criminally liable for qualified pollution resulting in death, receiving a sentence that includes a ten-year prohibition on contracting with public authorities and a fine of approximately R$ 7.2 million to be paid to environmental funds. While Samarco and the managers were convicted, other defendants, including Vale and BHP, maintained their acquittals.

## Claims

- Former governor Sérgio Cabral was convicted of administrative improbity for receiving illegal privileges in prison. (corroborated by 21 sources)
- The prison privilege scheme included a 65-inch TV, home theater, gourmet food, and unrecorded visits. (corroborated by 21 sources)
- Sérgio Cabral was ordered to pay a fine of 12 times his last salary and R$ 1 million in collective moral damages. (corroborated by 21 sources)
- The TRF6 overturned a previous acquittal of Samarco and its managers regarding the Fundão dam collapse. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Samarco and three former managers were convicted for crimes related to the 2015 Mariana dam disaster. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Germano Silva Lopes and Daviély Rodrigues Silva were sentenced to 8 years and 9 months in prison. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Wagner Milagres Alves was sentenced to 7 years, 3 months, and 15 days in a semi-open regime. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Samarco is prohibited from contracting with the public sector for ten years. (corroborated by 6 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-04: Samarco and Sérgio Cabral face major convictions in Brazil

Brazilian courts have issued major rulings: Samarco and three managers were convicted for the 2015 Mariana dam disaster, while former governor Sérgio Cabral was convicted for receiving luxury privileges in jail

34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samarco-and-three-engineers-convicted-in-mariana-dam-collapse-case

### 2026-08-19: Mariana accepts R$ 1.2 billion settlement for Fundão dam disaster

Mariana will accept a R$ 1.2 billion reparation agreement for the 2015 Fundão dam disaster, withdrawing its multi-billion real lawsuit against BHP in the United Kingdom.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mariana-accepts-r-12-billion-settlement-for-fundo-dam-disaster

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Cite as: Mariana Fundão dam disaster legal developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mariana-fundo-dam-disaster-legal-developments