Mining activity in Brazil and negligence in action

Abstract

The number of disasters involving tailings storage facilities has increased in Brazil. Only in the last six years, there have been six disasters involving this type of structure. Despite the vast socio-environmental impacts, little has been done to mitigate the damage caused. The negligence of mining companies and the lack of efficient management approaches at river basin-level have greatly hampered efforts for environmental recovery. In addition, although Brazil has signed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, there has been a slowdown in Brazilian environmental legislation, which can facilitate the implementation of mines and tailings storage facilities. To finish, we suggest some options to turn this situation around.

Keywords

• Brumadinho disaster
• Mariana disaster
• Fundão dam
• Tailings dam
• Rupture.