Vale Executives Knew About Risk Of Dam Collapsing But Dismissed It
The emergency plan showed that Vale managers were aware that the mine's main building and cafeteria would be hit in the case of an accident
Feb.1.2019 4:03AM
RIO DE JANEIRO and SÃO PAULO
Documents show that Vale knew that a possible dam collapse at its mining operation in Brumadinho (MG) would destroy many facilities, including the cafeteria and the office. That's where many employees were when the dam did collapse, on Friday (25th).
The information is part of the dam's emergency plan, written on April 18th, 2018.
Aerial view taken after the collapse of a dam which belonged to Brazil's giant mining company Vale, near the town of Brumadinho in southeastern Brazil, on January 25, 2019 - AFP
Vale refused to grant Folha access to the document, which had been requested since Monday (28th). The reporters got it through a government agency which had it on file.
The collapse was so violent that it destroyed the sirens and alert systems that were supposed to warn the employees so they could escape the premises. The flow of mud also killed the employees responsible for coordinating alerts and employee communication.
More:
https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2019/02/vale-executives-knew-about-risk-of-dam-collapsing-but-dismissed-it.shtml
