MELBOURNE, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Tailings released from the dam burst at a Brazilian iron ore mine that killed 17 people were much less than some early estimates, the operator of the mine has confirmed, co-owner BHP Billiton BHP.AX BLT.L said on Friday.
Satellite assessments show about 32 million cubic metres of sludge was released into the Rio Doce river, compared with some early estimates of more than 50 million cubic metres, BHP said.