Brazilian miner and iron ore producer Vale increased the risk level of three inactive dams, SteelOrbis has learned. According to a document filing at Brazilian securities exchange commission (CVM) this week, Vale reported three dams are now at higher risk of collapsing.
Dams in Brazil are labeled at risk levels, ranging from 1 to 3, in which level 3 indicates a structure is likely to collapse. Vale said the dams to raise their risk level from 1 to 2 include the B3/B4 dam at its Mar Azul mine, the Doutor dam at its Timbopeba mine, as well as its Sul Inferior dam at its Gongo Soco mine. The risk level increased during the time period of September 2019 to March 2020, Vale said.
All three dams halted activities and do not have a certificate attesting they are safe. Vale said none of these three dams will have an impact in the company’s iron ore production, as they have already been inactive.