Images obtained exclusively by Rádio Itatiaia, this Tuesday (11), show the moment of the overflow of the Mina do Pau Branco dam, in the city of Nova Lima, in Minas Gerais, last Saturday (8).
Vallourec classified the dike with the maximum emergency level, in which six residents of the region were evacuated. The company had its activities suspended in a decision issued by the Court of Justice of Minas Gerais (TJ-MG) after action by the Public Ministry and the Government of Minas Gerais.
Governor Romeu Zema (Novo) stated, in an interview with CNN, on January 9, that the mining company will be fined R$ 1 million per day until the overflow situation is reestablished. In note, Vallourec stated that it was not notified of any legal action.
The action also includes a request for compensation to those affected by the stoppage of a stretch of the BR-040, which impacted the population and local economic activity.
Studies are still being carried out to define the environmental impact in the region after the overflow. The Municipality of Nova Lima said in a note that “it will levy the company for environmental crime and demand, along with the state government, the fulfillment of the Plan for the Recovery of Degraded Areas”.
Reference: CNN Brasil
