(MENAFN- AFP) Mining giants Vale and BHP Billiton will be held responsible for a deadly dam rupture at an iron ore mine and already face preliminary sanctions, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said Thursday.
"We are committed in the first place to blame those who are responsible. Who is responsible A private business, Samarco, a big business that has Vale and BHP Billiton as partners," Rousseff said.
The president said "several laws... were actually not followed. That is why we have imposed a preliminary fine."
The Samarco iron ore mine in southeastern Brazil is owned by Australia-based BHP Billiton, the world's number one mining company, and Brazil's Vale, the leading iron ore miner.
Two dams at a waste collection pond broke on November 5, spewing a deadly wall of mud and water which is being tested for toxic elements. Most of the village of Bento Rodrigues was flattened.
Eight people were killed and 19 remain missing.
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