BRASILIA, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Miners Vale SA VALE5.SA and BHP Billiton (L:BLT) Ltd BHP.AX have presented plans for recovery of the Rio Doce river after a dam burst at their iron ore venture unleashed toxic mud in November, Brazil's Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira said on Monday.
Teixeira said the government had estimated 20 billion reais ($5 billion) were needed to clean up the river but did not say how much the companies had offered to pay. She said progress had been made on the negotiations, however.
($1 = 4 reais)