Samarco Does Not Comply with Measures to Mitigate Tragedy in MG, Says Ibama

07/01/2016 - 12h11

A report by Ibama, the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, shows that the emergency and overriding actions that should have been carried out to hold the mud that spilled from the Fundão barrier in Mariana (MG) in November 2015 were not entirely taken by mining company Samarco.

In all, of the 11 measures set to minimize the environmental impact that followed the tragedy, seven were not carried out and four were partially undertaken by Samarco, which is controlled by Brazil's Vale and BHP Billiton, of England and Australia, as Folha disclosed earlier on Thursday, June 30.

Nearly eight months after the tragedy that killed 19 people and left a trail of destruction in the Doce River that stretches to the coast of the state of Espírito Santo, the mud continues to spill and reach watercourses, which could become worse with the rain.

The requirements which were not complied with include the presentation of plans that show how the containment dikes will work in the coming months and the alternatives to avoid further pollution in the rainy seasons of this year and the next.

Samarco did not present the projects and schedules to control and manage the waste that is already in the rivers affected by the mud either.

Ibama says that, if alternatives are not defined, the rain also will cause more pollution.

Samarco says that it has not received the notices yet and will only comment after it knows their content.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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