December 14, 2015 (Shareholders Foundation) - An investigation on behalf of investors of BHP Billiton Limited (ADR) (NYSE:BHP) shares over potential securities laws violations by BHP Billiton Limited and certain of its directors and officers in connection certain financial statements was announced.

The investigation by a law firm focuses on possible claims on behalf of purchasers of the securities of BHP Billiton Limited (ADR) (NYSE:BHP) concerning whether a series of statements by BHP Billiton Limited regarding its business, its prospects and its operations were materially false and misleading at the time they were made.

BHP Billiton Limited reported that its Total Revenue declined from over $56.76 billion for the 12 months period that ended on June 30, 2014 to over $44.63 billion for the 12 months period that dned on June 30, 2015 and that its respective Net Income for those respective time periods declined from over $13.83 billion to $1.91 billion.


On November 5, 2015 the Fundo Dam in Brazil suffered a catastrophic rupture, releasing a large volume of toxic sludge into Brazils Santarm river valley causing flooding and at least 13 deaths.. The Fundao Dam was built to accommodate the waste that results from the extraction of iron ore from the mines in the region. The dam was operated by Samarco Minerao SA, a joint venture between Vale S.A. and BHP Billiton Ltd.
On November 27, 2015, Brazilian Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira told reporters that Brazil's federal and state governments plan to sue Vale, BHP Billiton and Samarco in response to the Fundao Dam disaster.