BHP (NYSE: BHP) agrees AU$110m Samarco shareholder class action settlement
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
BHP Group Limited has agreed to settle the Australian Samarco shareholder class action for AU$110 million, inclusive of interest and costs, with no admission of liability. The case was brought in the Federal Court of Australia on behalf of investors who bought BHP Group Limited or BHP Group Plc shares between 8 August 2012 and 9 November 2015, relating to the Fundão Dam failure at Samarco Mineração S.A., a joint venture between BHP Brasil and Vale.
The settlement remains subject to approval by the Federal Court of Australia. BHP states that it expects to recover the majority of the settlement amount from its insurers, which would reduce the net financial impact of the payment.
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Insights
AU$110m class action settlement reduces legal overhang with limited net cost.
BHP has agreed to pay AU$110 million to settle the Samarco-related Australian shareholder class action, covering interest and costs and made with no admission of liability. The case involved investors who acquired shares between 8 August 2012 and 9 November 2015, tied to the Fundão Dam failure at Samarco, a joint venture owned 50/50 by BHP Brasil and Vale.
The agreement still requires approval from the Federal Court of Australia, so the settlement is not yet final. BHP indicates it expects to recover the majority of the settlement from insurers, suggesting the ultimate cash outflow could be significantly lower than the gross amount. From an investment perspective this looks like a moderately sized but manageable legal cost that helps close out a legacy issue once court approval is obtained.
FAQ
Is the BHP Samarco class action settlement final?
How much will BHP pay under the Samarco settlement and what does it cover?
What is BHP’s expected net cost from the Samarco settlement?
What was Samarco’s relationship to BHP in the Fundão Dam case?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
9 September 2025
BHP GROUP LIMITED
(ABN 49 004 028 077)
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
171 COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE,
VICTORIA 3000 AUSTRALIA
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F: ☒ Form 20-F ☐ Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: ☐ Yes ☒ No
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): n/a
Exchange release
9 September 2025
Settlement of Samarco Australian Securities Class Action
BHP has reached an agreement to settle the Australian Samarco shareholder class action. The settlement is subject to approval by the Federal Court of Australia.
The Australian shareholder class action was brought on behalf of shareholders who acquired BHP shares before the Fundão Dam failure. The class action was filed in the Federal Court of Australia in 2018 on behalf of persons who acquired shares in BHP Group Limited or BHP Group Plc (now BHP Group (UK) Ltd) during the period 8 August 2012 to 9 November 2015 (the Applicants).
The Fundão Dam was owned and operated by Samarco Mineração S.A. (Samarco), a non-operated joint venture between BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda (BHP Brasil) (a subsidiary of BHP Group Limited) and Vale S.A. Each of BHP Brasil and Vale holds 50 per cent of Samarco.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, BHP has agreed to pay the Applicants AU$110 million, inclusive of interests and costs, with no admission of liability. BHP expects to recover the majority of the settlement amount from its insurers.
Authorised for release by Stefanie Wilkinson, Group General Counsel and Group Company Secretary
BHP Group Limited ABN 49 004 028 077
Contacts
| Media | Investor Relations | |
| media.relations@bhp.com | investor.relations@bhp.com | |
| Australia and Asia | Australia and Asia | |
| Gabrielle Notley | John-Paul Santamaria | |
| +61 411 071 715 | +61 499 006 018 | |
| Europe, Middle East and Africa | Europe, Middle East and Africa | |
| Amanda Saunders | James Bell | |
| +44 7887 468 926 | +44 7961 636 432 | |
| North America | Americas | |
| Megan Hjulfors | James Bell | |
| +1 403 605 2314 | +44 7961 636 432 | |
| Latin America | ||
| Renata Fernandez | ||
| +56 9 8229 5357 | ||
| BHP Group Limited | ||
| ABN 49 004 028 077 | ||
| LEI WZE1WSENV6JSZFK0JC28 | ||
| Registered in Australia | ||
| Level 18, 171 Collins Street | ||
| Melbourne | ||
| Victoria 3000 Australia | ||
| Tel: +61 1300 55 4757 Fax: +61 3 9609 3015 | ||
| BHP Group is headquartered in Australia | ||
| bhp.com | ||
BHP Group Limited ABN 49 004 028 077
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| BHP Group Limited | ||||||
| Date: 9 September, 2025 | By: | /s/ Stefanie Wilkinson | ||||
| Name: | Stefanie Wilkinson | |||||
| Title: | Group General Counsel and Group Company Secretary | |||||