BHP Billiton has said it is encouraged by the progress of efforts to remediate the damage from its Brazilian dam collapse, but still intends to appeal an $8 billion public civil claim.

"Samarco employees and members of affected communities have been working incredibly hard to deliver the remediation projects in the framework agreement and over 90 per cent of the projects have been initiated," BHP Billiton chief commercial officer Dean Dalla Valle said in a statement.

The framework agreement mandates "community involvement in the development of the remediation and compensation programs" through an advisory committee and social dialogue program.

BHP said it is working with input from international experts and communities in rebuilding.

"There is still much to be done to rebuild and restore but we believe that working with Vale, Samarco and the Brazilian authorities we will be able to deliver on the commitments under the agreement and we will do what's right," the company said.

BHP and 50-50 joint venture partner Vale had agreed on a $3 billion settlement in March, but Brazil's Superior Court responded to an appeal from the Federal Prosecutor's Office by issuing an interim order suspending its ratification.

That decision reinstated the $8 billion public civil claim for clean-up costs and damages against Samarco, Vale and BHP, which remains standing.

In May, federal prosecutors in Brazil filed a $58.2 billion civil lawsuit against Samarco and its owners Vale SA and BHP Billiton for the collapse which killed 19 people and polluted a major river.

In July, BHP Billiton announced it would appeal against a decision by a Brazilian court to reinstate the $8 billion public civil claim.

BHP said 7,000 families whose livelihoods were damaged by the disaster are receiving financial assistance cards credited with the Brazilian minimum wage, plus 20 per cent for every dependent and the value of a basic food basket.

ABC/Reuters