Semad, the Minas Gerais state environmental authority, canceled two of Vale’s facility licenses, the miner said on Wednesday. According to Vale, Semad revoked Vale’s provisional operating license for its Laranjeiras iron ore dam, as well as the company’s operating license for its Jangada iron ore mine.
The announcement comes as a local court ordered this week the iron ore producer to halt activities at several dams, following the deadly iron ore waste dam burst, which killed thus far 150 people. Another 182 remain missing and chances to find surviving victims is close to zero, according to officials.
Earlier this week, Vale has labeled the halt of activities at its dam as “unfounded.” Vale said on Wednesday the canceling of the company’s Laranjeiras provisional operating license was unfounded as well.
Vale said operatings at its Jangada mine was already halted due to the Brumadinho disaster. The company promised to appeal the decisions.