Minister urges revision of laws on dam safety

Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira urged a revision of Brazilian laws on environmental permits and dam safety to prevent further disasters like the recent collapse of a tailings dam owned by Samarco mining company in Minas Gerais.

“Brazil needs to upgrade its disaster policy,” the minister said in an interview to TV Brasil's Espaço Público on Tuesday (Nov. 24). According to her, the disaster in Minas Gerais is still an open issue and Samarco may face further fines.

Talking about the 21st UN Conference on Climate Change (COP 21) to be held between November 30 and December 11 in Paris, France, the minister pointed out that the chair of the event, France Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, commended Brazil on its commitment to cut down 43% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

“[Fabius] came to endorse the French government's request for Brazil to support the outcome of the conference and made special mention of the country's ambition to reduce greenhouse gases. He said the world should recognize and support what Brazil has been doing,” she said.

Translated by Mayra Borges

Relacionadas

Mining company admits: two other dams are at risk

Agreement with Samarco calls on $260 million reserves for environmental damages