Brazil says Vale, BHP Billiton presented plans for Rio Doce recovery

BRASILIA, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Miners Vale SA and BHP Billiton Ltd have presented plans for recovery of the Rio Doce river after a dam burst at their iron ore venture unleashed toxic mud in November, Brazil's Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira said on Monday.

Teixeira said the government had estimated 20 billion reais ($5 billion) were needed to clean up the river but did not say how much the companies had offered to pay. She (Munich: SOQ.MU - news) said progress had been made on the negotiations, however.

($1 = 4 reais) (Reporting by Maria Carolina Marcello; Writing by Caroline Stauffer; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli)