Brazilian steelmaker ArcelorMittal Brazil, which owns local mining subsidiary ArcelorMittal Mineração, has reached a preliminary agreement with federal and Minas Gerais state prosecutors over the Serra Azul dam, the company said late this week.
ArcelorMittal Brazil said the company is supporting local residents it needed to evacuate from the dam 13 days ago. The preliminary agreement, also known as provisional commitment term (TAP), demands ArcelorMittal Brazil to elaborate an action plan for assuring the safety of the Serra Azul dam, as well as its decommissioning.
As a result of the agreement, ArcelorMittal Brazil will hire an independent consultant to oversee studies and review repairing measures for the dam. A second independent consultant should also be hired, prosecutors added. Daily inspection in the dam is also a part of the provisional commitment term agreement.