RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Miner Samarco, a joint venture between Vale SA VALE5.SA and BHP Billiton (LON:BLT) BHP.AX , said on Wednesday it has decided along with unions to extend the temporary suspension of 800 employees for five months to March 31, 2018.
The layoff period began on June 1 and was to end on Nov 1.
Samarco halted its activities after a tailings dam ruptured in November 2015, killing 19 people, leaving hundreds homeless and polluting the Doce river.