Practice conducted and registered by the TRF-6 for renegotiation is recognized for its legal effectiveness. Samarco has already allocated BRL 70.6 billion for reparation and compensation actions for the Fundão dam break.
The New Rio Doce Agreement had its construction and renegotiation methodology win the 22 edition of the Innovare Award, in the Court category. Registered for the award by the Federal Regional Court of the 6th Region (TRF-6), the Agreement conducted by the institution was recognized for promoting the consensual resolution of highly complex conflicts, bringing legal certainty and definiteness to the reparation process. This recognition consolidates the Agreement as a structured legal solution assured by the national justice system, reinforcing the Brazilian legitimacy and sovereignty in the conduction of the reparation.
The New Agreement, unanimously approved by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) in November 2024, sets forth guidelines for the continuity and the completion of reparation measures for the Fundão dam break.
“The recognition by the Innovare Award reinforces that the New Agreement is the appropriate legal instrument to assure the execution of socio-environmental and socio-economic obligations for the reparation of the Rio Doce Basin. The model is conducted and monitored by the Brazilian justice system, assuring that all signatories act under the sovereignty and the legitimacy of national jurisdiction,” Najla Lamounier, Legal and Risk Director of Samarco, assesses.
The renegotiation process consolidated a single model for consensual solutions involving justice institutions, federal and state governments, and the responsible companies. The Agreement defined guidelines, responsibilities, governance instruments, deadlines, and execution values, setting a joint path for the definitive completion of the reparation.
Since 2015, BRL 70.6 billion has been allocated to reparation and compensation actions. Of this amount, BRL 33.8 billion was paid directly in 777.4 thousand individual compensation deals, demonstrating the consistent execution of the commitments made by the company to the affected population.
The Agreement also provides about follow-up meetings, fulfillment of milestones, execution of environmental restoration actions, definitive solutions for individual compensations and resettlements, as well as structural measures in areas, such as basic sanitation, infrastructure, and economic activities along the Rio Doce Basin.
For further information about the reparation, go to samarco.com/reparacao.
Innovare Award
Created in 2004, the Innovare Award is considered the most important award in the Brazilian Justice system. Organized by the Innovare Institute, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, the Attorney General's Office, legal associations, and the National Council of Justice (CNJ), the initiative aims to recognize, reward, and disseminate best practices that make the Judiciary faster, more efficient, and more accessible to the population. The award was supported by Grupo Globo.
The award ceremony is available in full on the page of the Innovare Award.