A Brazilian court froze 1 billion Brazilian reais in Vale SA's accounts as compensation for a community affected by the fatal tailings dam burst at the Feijao iron ore mine in Minas Gerais state.

The order requires the company to pay for the relocation, food and other needs of the affected people from the Sebastião de Águas Claras-Macacos community.

Vale said March 18 that it will take the appropriate measures, although had not been formally notified of the court ruling yet.

The embattled mining giant is facing several mine closures, lawsuits, employee arrests and government fines over the disaster that likely killed about 300 people.

As of March 15, US$1 was equivalent to 3.81 Brazilian reais.