RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Mining companies Vale SA VALE5.SA and BHP Billiton (L:BLT) Ltd BHP.AX will be financial guarantors of any accord between Brazil's government and Samarco Mineração SA over a deadly November damburst, Attorney General Luis Inacio Adams said on Monday.
Brazil is suing Samarco SAMNE.UL a 50-50 joint iron ore mining venture between BHP and Vale, for 20 billion reais ($4.89 billion) over the damburst, which killed 17 and is considered the worst environmental disaster in Brazilian history.
($1= 4.09 Brazilian reais)