Mine disaster trial halt

A JUDGE in Brazil has temporarily suspended criminal proceedings against 22 people and four companies accused of killing 19 people in the 2015 Samarco mine disaster, over the legality of phone intercepts between executives involved and other evidence.

Vale SA and BHP Billiton, joint owners of the Samarco iron ore mine, are among those accused of crimes related to a burst tailings dam that unleashed a torrent of waste in what is considered to be Brazil’s worst-ever environmental disaster.

A judge in Minas Gerais state is considering whether to dismiss the case on claims from two Samarco executives that phone data, instant messages and emails were collected outside of the time period legally authorised.

The criminal actions are separate from negotiations over a $US47 billion ($A59 billion) financial settlement pending in civil proceedings.

Judge Jacques de Queiroz Ferreira said the arguments from defendants, former Samarco president Ricardo Vescovi and ex-director of operations and infrastructure Kleber Luiz de Mendonca Terra, raised questions and could result in the case being thrown out.

The judge accepted a request from prosecutors that telephone companies clarify whether wiretaps occurred within the legal parameters. The Samarco catastrophe released thick sludge into the Rio Doce, one of Brazil’s main rivers, killing fish and fouling water supplies for hundreds of kilometres before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

BHP and Samarco executives have said it was increasingly unlikely the mine would restart operations this year.