Brazilian steelmaker ArcelorMittal Brazil, which owns local mining company ArcelorMittal Mineração, decided to evacuate about 200 people living near its Serra Azul iron ore dam.
The Serra Azul dam, which is also the name of the company’s iron ore mine, is located in the city of Itatiaiuçu, in Minas Gerais state. The Serra Azul iron ore mine produces 1.2 million mt/year of iron ore lumps and fines.
ArcelorMittal Brazil said the dam, which is similar to the one that collapsed in Brumadinho, killing 157 people, had been inactive since October 2012 and is the company’s only dam to use such technology. ArcelorMittal Brazil said the evacuation is preventative.
The company did not provide specifics whether output would actually be halted during the time of evacuation.