Another dam bursts with mineral waste in Minas Gerais

A dam with mineral waste of Vale do Rio Donce burst in the city of Brumadinho, near state capital Belo Horizonte, in Minas Gerais. The preliminary reports were given by the Civil Defense. A team of experts is being taken to the place for further assessment.

Vale is also responsible for the waste dam in Mariana, in the same state in Southeast Brazil, whose collapse in November 2015 left 19 killed and districts destroyed.

In a note, Vale do Rio Doce declared that the first pieces of information indicate that the waste reached the administrative area of the company and part of the Vila Ferteco community. No individuals have been reported injured on the scene. The firm contacted the Fire Department and has initiated its Assistance Plan for Dam Emergency. The cause of the collapse is not disclosed in the statement.

The priority, the company said, is “to preserve and protect the lives of workers and community members.”

Brumadinho city authorities posted on the city’s Instagram page that locals should stay away from the bed of the Paraopeba river.