Brazil bans upstream mining dams after Vale’s latest disaster
Date: Feb 19, 2019
Brazil is prohibiting a specific type of tailings dam after two of those structures run by miner Vale SA burst in recent years, causing death and environmental devastation.
All so-called upstream dams need to be decommissioned or removed by August, 2021, according to a resolution the National Mining Agency published on Monday in Brazil’s official gazette. Dam owners have until August 15 to complete a technical plan for the dams, which at a minimum includes reinforcing existing structures or building a new retention structure.
