Samarco prosecutor expects to seek criminal charges next month

Brazilian prosecutors are finalising a criminal investigation into the Samarco mine disaster and expect to ask a judge by the end of September to charge employees, said one of the prosecutors heading the case. The investigation is looking into alleged negligence that may constitute involuntary manslaughter charges, along with possible environmental crimes, Prosecutor Eduardo Aguiar said Tuesday in an interview in Belo Horizonte. Samarco, a venture owned by Vale SA and BHP Billiton, denies wrongdoing.