BHP Billiton pay row as Samarco campaigners slam bonus return

BHP Billiton’s decision to revive chief executive Andrew Mackenzie’s bonus after it was scrapped following the Samarco disaster in Brazil has been called “unconscionable” by campaigners.

It cancelled the Scottish-born chief’s bonus last year after the catastrophe killed 19 people when a dam co-owned by BHP and Brazilian miner Vale burst, flooding villages and surrounding areas with thick brown mud.

BHP paid Mackenzie a bonus this year worth $2.3 million (£1.7 million), its annual report showed, doubling his pay to $4.6 million.

Australian activist group GetUp’s environment campaigner Sam Regester said: “The human toll of the Samarco disaster will continue to be felt for generations for everyone except BHP’s top brass. It’s unconscionable.”

BHP still has to settle a 155 billion Brazilian real (£37 billion) claim brought by federal prosecutors.

Mackenzie had his base salary frozen for the fourth year in a row at $1.7 million while he also missed out on long-term shares after BHP’s share price failed to hit target.

BHP declined to comment.