Mining giant bhp group ltd (BHP Group) said on Thursday that Brazil's Supreme Court has approved a solution that ends the long-running Fundao Dam litigation.

At the end of last month, bhp group ltd and its joint venture partner vale sa (Vale) reached an agreement with Brazilian authorities, under which the two mining groups will pay a total of 170 billion Brazilian reais (equivalent to 31.7 billion US dollars) related to the 2015 dam disaster.

The tailings dam is operated by Samarco Mineracao SA, a joint venture between bhp group ltd and vale sa, each holding a 50% stake.

bhp group ltd stated on Thursday that the economic value of the agreement provides compensation for the impact of the dam collapse on local people, communities, and the environment.

The diversified mining company headquartered in Melbourne said that its subsidiary, bhp group ltd Brasil, will continue to focus on supporting the long-term recovery of communities and the environment affected by the dam collapse.

At the end of last month, bhp group ltd stated that the settlement agreement is in line with its provisions for the 2024 fiscal year, totaling 6.5 billion US dollars to cover the responsibility for the dam collapse.

The company stated at the time that the agreement is based on existing remedial and compensatory efforts, totaling approximately 7.9 billion US dollars.

Samarco will make the first payment within 30 days of the agreement being confirmed by the court, followed by payments every 6 months after the first payment, and then annually for a total of 20 years.

BHP Group Ltd and Vale SA are also facing other class action lawsuits in Australia, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.