Brazilian miner and iron ore producer Vale said it is still monitoring its Gongo Soco mine, in Barao de Cocais, Minas Gerais state, after reports by the company of an increased risk of a dam collapse.
Vale, which already evacuated the population nearby, reported the movement of fragments at a pit in Gongo Soco near the Sul Superior dam.
“These pieces settled gently at the bottom of the pit with early assessments indicating that the wall is sliding gradually,” the miner reported, saying slippage “should occur without major consequences.”
Vale said it monitors both the pit and the Sul Superior dam 24 hours a day to detect any millimetric movement. It is also using drones to assess the dam’s situation.
The dam has been at risk level 3 since March 22, which means it could collapse at any time.