RIO DE JANEIRO, March 16 (Reuters) - Brazilian iron ore miner Vale SA VALE5.SA said on Thursday that a federal court in Minas Gerais has suspended a case brought by prosecutors seeking 155 billion reais ($49.7 billion) in damages for the 2015 Samarco mine disaster.
Vale said in a securities filing the court suspended other lawsuits to facilitate negotiation of a final deal on damages resulting from the collapse of a tailings dam at the mine - a joint venture between Vale and the world's largest mining company, BHP Billiton Ltd BHP.AX BHP.N BLT.L .
($1 = 3.1180 reais)