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Brazil sues BHP, Vale for $5 billion damages for mine disaster

Reuters: Brazil filed a lawsuit on Monday against two of the world's largest mining companies for 20 billion Brazilian reais ($5.2 billion) to clean up what it says was its worst environmental disaster, caused by the collapse of a tailings dam. The governments of Brazil and those of two states hit by the damburst sued iron ore operator Samarco and its co-owners, the world's largest miner BHP Billiton Ltd and the biggest iron ore miner Vale SA. Earlier on Monday, President Dilma Rousseff blamed the disaster...

Brazil’s hot, dry summer may lead to energy rationing

Reuters: Brazil is facing the possibility of widespread energy rationing for the first time since 2001 due to a hot, dry summer that has deprived hydroelectric dams of the water they need and driven up power consumption in stifling cities. Electricity experts say that even if the country escapes rationing it may have to make up for the shortfall by resorting to increased use of thermo-electric power - which is more expensive, and could undermine President Dilma Rousseff's plans to lower energy rates this...