Brazilian mining agency, ANM, plans to ban upstream dams like Vale’s Brumadinho dam, which collapsed in January killing thus far 169 people. Officials expect the deaths count to rise to 300 people.
ANM unveiled late last week a proposed regulation, which sets precautionary measures to attest the safety of iron ore and other dams, and proposes to ban upstream dams like the one that collapsed in Brumadinho.
The ban is expected to take full effect by August 15, 2020. By August 15, 2019, companies are demanded to deactivate or decommission any installation, works or services related to upstream dams.
ANM said it may update the proposed regulation, as it may take suggestions from all parties impacted by the regulation, following a period of public consultation. The agency said it will re-evaluate the existing regulation by May 1, 2019.
Minas Gerais state environmental regulator, Semad, said this week it is working along with other Minas Gerais regulators to end upstream dams.