Independent experts warned two years ago that a Brazilian dam owned by BHP Billiton and Vale, which collapsed last week killing at least six people, was not safe.
BHP Billiton wouldn't say on Wednesday if it knew about the 2013 report that warned of design flaws in the tailings dam system, and predicted the circumstances that could lead to a dam burst at the Samarco operation, which was the world's second largest manufacturer of iron ore pellets used to make steel.
Lia Timson is Deputy Foreign Editor at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Connect with Lia on Twitter.
Matthew Stevens writes on business, specialising in mining, energy and opinion. Matthew is a senior business writer and columnist. Email Matthew at matthew.stevens@afr.com.au
James Thomson is senior Chanticleer columnist based in Melbourne. He was the Companies editor and editor of BRW Magazine. Connect with James on Twitter. Email James at j.thomson@afr.com
