RIO DE JANEIRO, March 2 (Reuters) - Brazil's Vale SA VALE5.SA said on Wednesday its joint venture with BHP Billiton BLT.L , Samarco, had agreed to settle a civil suit with the Brazilian government for damages caused by a deadly dam spill in November.
Under the agreement, Samarco will pay 2 billion reais ($514 million) this year, 1.2 billion reais in 2017 and 1.2 billion reais in 2018 into a fund to cover the clean up.
In the event Samarco is unable to pay its obligations, Vale and BHP would be responsible to cover the costs, Vale said in a statement. ($1 = 3.8875 Brazilian reais)