Brazil's worst environmental disaster unleashed a wave of toxic sludge that killed 19 people. Photo: AP PHOTO

Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP can be held liable over the 2015 collapse of a dam in southeastern Brazil, London's High Court has ruled, in a lawsuit the claimants' lawyers previously valued at up to $US48.32 billion ($A74.05 billion).

Subscribe now for unlimited access .

Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other regional websites in your area Continue

Hundreds of thousands of Brazilians, dozens of local governments and around 2000 businesses sued BHP over the collapse of the Fundao dam in Mariana, southeastern Brazil, which was owned and operated by BHP and Vale's Samarco joint venture.

See Full Page