Brazilian mining giant Vale has announced that it has been ordered by the Minas Gerais state authorities to suspend operations at its Timbopeba mine, including the Doutor dam. Otherwise, the company will have to pay a daily fine of BRL 500,000 ($130,000).
On the other hand, in its statement Vale claimed that the Doutor dam was found to be safe and not to present any irregularity during an inspection on March 14 by technicians of the National Mining Agency. According to Vale, the agency also verified that there is no need for the evacuation of the local population.
The suspension of operations at the Timbopeba mine will cause a loss of 12.8 million mt of iron ore output per year.
Vale said that it immediately complied with the decision and took the necessary measures.