The Minas Gerais Judiciary resumed this year the settlement drives focused on compensation lawsuits for Water Damage in Governador Valadares. The initiative is led by the Minas Gerais Court of Justice (TJMG), through the Judicial Center for Conflict Resolution and Citizenship (CEJUSC), with participation from the Governador Valadares Bar Association (OAB), and is taking place alongside an expansion of service capacity, with the goal of promoting settlement and enabling those affected to receive the compensation provided for in the New Rio Doce Agreement, approved by the Supreme Federal Court (STF).

Restarting the drive, in addition to providing a new opportunity to settle, reinforces the aim of resolving cases through consensual solutions and through mediation by the Judiciary. Hearings continue to be held at the OAB Governador Valadares headquarters, which now has eight rooms dedicated exclusively to settlement, expanding service capacity for those affected.

In the Governador Valadares Judicial District, which concentrates lawsuits from residents of ten municipalities in the region, more than 12,000 cases have already been scheduled in the drive and about 9,400 agreements were reached last year. Despite the progress, in 2025 the TJMG recorded about 4,000 no-shows by plaintiffs at settlement hearings.

Water Damage

Water Damage lawsuits are related to the interruption of water supply caused by the rupture of the Fundão dam in Mariana, and through December 2025 a total accumulated BRL 117.2 million had been paid. 

The New Rio Doce Agreement provides for payment of BRL 13,018.00 per plaintiff, with no monetary adjustment, and it is paid within 30 days after the court approves the individual agreement. Eligibility to receive an offer depends on meeting the criteria set out in the agreement; that is, the offer covers only plaintiffs with individual lawsuits filed by October 26, 2021 and who have proof-of-address documents issued between October and December 2015, in the municipalities of Aimorés, Alpercata, Belo Oriente, Galiléia, Governador Valadares, Itueta, Naque, Periquito, Resplendor, and Tumiritinga. Anyone who has already received compensation for Water Damage and/or who has a final, unappealable judgment dismissing the claim is not eligible for the offer.

After the release is signed, attorneys’ fees, in the amount of BRL 650.90, are paid by Samarco with no deduction from the compensation amount. If you have made an additional negotiation with the lawyer, any contract fees will be paid by the party, without any liability for Samarco.More information is available at samarco.com/indenizacao or through the Customer Service Center sat 0800 033 8485.