BHP trying to avoid responsibility over Brazilian dam collapse, UK court told

BHP is cynically trying to avoid its responsibility for Brazil's worst environmental disaster, lawyers representing thousands of victims told London's High Court on Monday, as a lawsuit worth up to £36-billion ($47-billion) began.

More than 600 000 Brazilians, 46 local governments and around 2 000 businesses are suing BHP over the 2015 collapse of the Mariana dam in southeastern Brazil, which was owned and operated by BHP and Vale's Samarco joint venture.