Australia's BHP boss pledges relief fund for Brazil mine disaster

Chief of Australia's mining giant BHP Billiton, Andrew Mackenzie, pledged on Thursday a relief fund to help communities affected by a deadly dam burst at its Brazil joint venture that left six people dead.

"We are deeply sorry, so sorry, to everyone who has, and will suffer, from this terrible tragedy," Mackenzie said after surveying the damage with Murilo Ferreira, chief of Vale, a Brazilian multinational mining company, at the site in Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

Mackenzie flew to Brazil earlier this week to inspect damage following the burst of two dams at the Somaro iron ore mine - a joint venture between BHP Billiton and Vale - that released an avalanche of mud and mine tailings, leaving six persons dead and 24 others still missing.

"The devastation that I and we have witnessed on site this morning and around the community is quite heartbreaking," Mackenzie said.

It is believed the two mining giants are expected to put in more than 100 million U.S. dollars into the relief fund, though they have promised more assistance as required.

The fallout has forced 630 people from their homes, while fears for the third dam in the three-tiered complex has prompted new evacuations as emergency repairs are carried out. Enditem