Brazil has over 45 dams at risk for collapse, including iron ore, iron ore waste, among other dams, according to a report released by local water agency, ANA.
The number, from data compiled in 2017, represents an 80 percent growth, year-on-year, in the number of structures that may collapse, as compared to 2016. ANA’s report indicates key failures leading to the collapse of dams include weak structures, as well as lack of documents attesting to the stability of dams.
The collapse of pellet producer Samarco’s iron ore waste dam in November 2015 killed 19 people and halted operations. According to ANA’s report, risks for the compromised dams could be even higher, since only 17 percent of Brazilian dams are actually inspected each year.