The structure was concluded ahead of schedule

Samarco recently concluded the decharacterization works at the Germano pit, in Mariana (MG), in a safe manner and in accordance with all technical, environmental and legal guidelines. Interventions in the structure, which was deactivated, were completed ahead of the planned date of October 2023, as established in the term of commitment signed with federal and state agencies. About R$ 400 million were invested by the company in this project.

“We fulfilled the commitment made to public bodies, especially to society, to repurpose the structure, without risk to communities, territories, or our people, while reducing impacts on the environment. More than meeting a legal requirement, this involved a process of much learning and evolution in our tailings management. We remain committed to innovation, studying and seeking new ways of disposing of tailings”, emphasized the director of Projects, Safety and Environment, Reuber Koury. Samarco resumed its operations without the use of dams for tailings disposal.

Starting 2019, even before the current legislation was issued on the decharacterization of upstream structures, the process of decharacterization of the pit has been accompanied by external audits, such as the Public Prosecution Office of Minas Gerais and by consultants of the Independent Tailings Review Board (ITRB). During the works, technology was allied with the use of state-of-the-art equipment. “We use drones with two technologies that allow laser scanning of the surface, even when the ground has vegetation cover, guaranteeing accuracy”, highlighted the Project Engineering manager, Jonathas Pinto.

Throughout the entire process, the company adopted measures to reduce and control impacts, such as plant rehabilitation, water quality control, noise monitoring and atmospheric control. With transparency, the data were forwarded to the audits and also to the responsible public bodies.

Around 4,000 people were mobilized for the works to decharacterize both the Germano pit and the dam, during the peak of the works. Samarco prioritized hiring local labor, achieving a percentage of 60% of local professionals.

Samarco is moving forward with the works to decharacterize the Germano dam and 65% of the interventions in the structure have been concluded, safely and as planned. The deadline for de-characterization of the dam, stipulated in the term of commitment with public bodies, is May 2029. The company emphasizes that all geotechnical structures have a valid dam integrity assurance statement (DCE) and are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.