Brazil’s federal police accused both Vale and Samarco of crimes related to the deadly iron ore waste dam burst in November 2015, which killed 17 people and resulted in the halt of Samarco’s operations late last year.
The nation’s federal police indicted Ricardo Vescovi, CEO at pellet producer Samarco, as well as other six people, of environmental crimes due to the burst of a Samarco’s iron ore waste dam in November last year. Vale, Samarco and a consulting firm that audited the broken dam were also accused of crimes.
Brazilian federal police said more people could be indicted, as investigations continue.
Vale said it was surprised to learn the move, which has no exact equivalent in the U.S. legal system. Samarco said it doesn’t agree with the accusations, since a technical analysis of the causes of the burst is yet to be completed.