For years Australia-based BHP Billiton, the largest multinational mining company in the world, and Vale the largest producers of iron ore in the world, have been mining in Brazil and making millions off the output. Toward the end of last year an onsite mining company known as Samarco, co-owned by both BHP Billiton and Vale, had a disaster that cost the lives of local villagers and the local ecosystem. A dam containing toxic waste from the mine collapsed next to the town of Bento Rodrigues, almost completely levelling the village. Over 50 cubic meters of toxic waste turned into a mud slide that destroyed everything in its path. Over 100 people were found either dead, injured or missing after almost the entire village was washed away. Not only did this disaster destroy a village but it contaminated a 500 km stretch of Doce River, a river that supplies fresh water to both humans and animals, as well as providing a home to local aquatic life. This disaster has caused severe damage to both the local residents and ecosystem.

Throughout the media there has been wide spread talk of how the Brazilian government has received some compensation pay and a few promises to clean up the environment, but there is no evidence that any compensation has been paid to the families in the village destroyed. Additionally, there is little evidence of any improvements having been made to the way these companies operate, to make the workers and the local area safer. Unless these companies make changes to improve safety, there is nothing to prevent any further tragedies from happening.

It seems these companies, who can clearly afford to make improvements, are just trying to get away from the incident rather than doing the morally correct thing and making up for the mistakes they have made. While they are not entirely irresponsible about the matter, and to some extent have made promises and taken a few steps in the right direction, there is room for improvement. To the hundreds of people directly affected by this disaster, it seems that these companies they are simply not doing as much as they should.

What this petition aims to achieve is a guarantee from BHP Billiton and Vale that the individual families affected by the incident receive fair compensation for their loss. Additionally, we request that BHP Billiton and Vale publish the improvements undertaken to make their sites safer for workers and the local communities, to ensure this type of disaster never happens again.