We resumed our operations without using dams to store tailings.
Thus, we reinforce our commitment to carrying out mining differently and sustainable.
Our priority is to continuously improve our safety and risk management procedures and strengthen our commitment to society.
To maintain dialogue and transparency about our dams, we are available 24/7 to answer any questions. Contact us at the number 0800 033 8485.
Here, at this link, you will find the main initiatives for managing and monitoring our geotechnical structures.
Geotechnical structures are constructions such as dams, dikes, drained piles, pits, piles for the disposal of tailings, overburden and industrial slopes.
Samarco has a policy and a manual that provide a comprehensive view of the management and governance of geotechnical structures, considering the entire life cycle of the structures.
Dams are structures intended to store liquids, solids or a mixture of liquids and solids. At Samarco, dams are used to contain sediments, which we call dikes, and to store water. Tailings storage dams are no longer part of our production process.
Our tailings dams raised
In order to prioritize the safety of the geotechnical structures, the environment and the communities where we operate, Samarco is carrying out the process of de- characterizing the upstream tailings dams
Samarco has a robust environmental management system and performs water and atmospheric monitoring of the entire operation. Environmental inspections are carried out on a daily basis in all projects under development at Samarco. The Germano Dam area has nine points of the Automatic Particle Monitoring Network (Ramp) to monitor air quality. In addition to monitoring the entire body of water, which is carried out 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Find out more about Samarco's environmental management here
is the expected investment for the de-characterization project
workers involved in the project throughout 2021
of hours worked in the works until December 2021
In February 2022, we signed a Term of Commitment with the Government of Minas Gerais, through the State Foundation for the Environment (Feam), the Public Prosecution Office of Minas Gerais (MPMG) and the Federal Public Prosecution Office (MPF), and the intervention of the National Mining Agency (ANM). The Term is to ensure that the interventions are completed within an adequate timeframe, which does not compromise the stability of the structures, throughout the entire work, reinforcing our absolute commitment to the safety of people, communities and the environment.
Check here the quarterly report on the progress of dam de-characterization works:
A cava é um espaço confinado já existente, contida por terreno natural que já foi utilizada para a operação de mina. Atualmente, é utilizada como uma opção para a disposição do nosso rejeito lama, que corresponde a 20% do rejeito total gerado.
A contenção de rejeitos em cavas confinadas representa menores impactos ambientais, uma vez que utiliza uma estrutura totalmente escavada em terreno natural e contida por um terreno rochoso.
A pilha para disposição de estéril e rejeito é a solução para disposição de rejeitos arenosos adotada pela Samarco. Nesse método, ocorre a filtragem do rejeito arenoso, que corresponde a 80% do total do rejeito gerado, e a separação da água e da areia. Após esse processo, ocorre o empilhamento a seco do material sólido restante. A água filtrada dos resíduos é recirculada, enquanto a areia é retida e empilhada a seco.
A planta de filtragem da Samarco foi construída em 2020 com o objetivo de filtrar o rejeito arenoso.
A pilha de rejeitos estéril e rejeito é um método sustentável e seguro, já que busca a recuperação máxima da água para recirculação do líquido. Além disto, garante maior estabilidade da estrutura uma vez que o material é disposto na pilha a seco sem a água e com métodos e controle de compactação do rejeito.
The closure plan for our geotechnical structures consists of a set of data and studies that assess how the future deactivation of the structure will be performed after the end of its use, taking into account the structural, environmental and social aspects. It is prepared by a team dedicated to the subject in partnership with a specialized consultancy.
Throughout the development of the projects and the operation of the structures, the closure studies evolve towards a more detailed proposal closer to the closure period, as well as to analyses of alternatives for future use that are evaluated for the areas, such as example, recovery and reintegration into the environment.
Also as a result of the closure plan, an estimate is made of the costs needed to close the structures, and Samarco makes an annual provision of this sum to guarantee the necessary funds for the closure.
Tailings are materials that are not used in the ore beneficiation process, a treatment process that aims at improving the chemical and physical properties of an ore. It consists of iron ore, sand and water, and is not toxic, corrosive or flammable.
Follow the tailings path in this video.
See, on the side, the path taken by the br tailings in our mining process.
Check our tailings disposal structures
Safety is Samarco's non-negotiable value.
We have dedicated ourselves to comprehensive and efficient risk management and the provision of an increasingly safe and healthy work environment for our employees. We are committed to managing geotechnical structures in a safe, transparent, responsible and ethical manner.
We strengthened our Integrated Safety System, investing in robust engineering and state-of-the-art technology, such as the Monitoring and Inspection Center (CMI).
CMI aims at monitoring our geotechnical structures 24/7. The center has over 1,600 state-of-the-art pieces equipment, which transmit data in real time to a specialized team of technicians and engineers. In addition to periodic field inspections.
Allow the detection of movements in large areas.
Assist in inspections in areas of difficult access.
Monitor the internal pressure level of structures
Measure deformations and horizontal displacements underground
For monitoring ground vibrations
Accurately identifies horizontal and vertical displacements
Monitors weather conditions.
Control the volume of water at the discharge of the structures.
Identify slightest variations in displacements on the surfaces of structures.
The commitment to the safe management of dams and geotechnical structures, through the control and reduction of all risks involved in a sustainable manner, including environmental and social ones, is part of our Safety Policy for Dams and Geotechnical Structures.
Click here to read the document in full
At our CMI, we also control the Emergency Alert System sirens installed from the dam area at Samarco to Barra Longa.
Along with the simulations, they are part of the Emergency Alert System guided by rules and procedures that make up our Action Plan for Mining Dams (PAEBM).
Every year, the civil defense coordination offices of Mariana, Matipó and the state hold emergency drills, with the support of Samarco.
Participation in this type of drill is very important so that communities and municipal public agents are trained on how to proceed in an emergency situation.
In addition to the drills, guidance seminars are also held in which each community is previously acquainted with the flood plain, the escape route signs and the muster station.
When we talk about dams, in order to estimate the extent of the impact that each structure will cause in the event of a collapse, it is necessary to develop a dam break study defining the probable flood plain downstream of the structure. This study is developed considering the worst possible scenario and aims at providing clarity to the company and the communities involved about the impacts in case a situation like this occurs. The study is carried out by a specialist company and is audited by inspection agencies.
Samarco monitors all its structures, 24/7 with high-precision equipment and technology.
The Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) is a region close to a dam where it is considered that there is not enough time for the competent authorities to intervene, in case there is an emergency with some structure. Thus, all residents need to know the escape route and the nearest muster station for self-rescue. Drills and periodic meetings with residents are held, organized by the Civil Defense and in partnership with Samarco.
All locations are signposted with escape route and muster station signs and have a warning and emergency system (sirens).
*Não foram realizados simulados nos anos de 2020 e 2021 devido a pandemia.
This sign is intended to indicate the evacuation route in case of emergencies, showing the way out of the area.
The sign indicates a pre-determined, safe and risk-free meeting place in case of emergencies.
Germano Dam
Germano Pit
Axis 1 Dam
Nova Santarém Dam
S3 Dike
S4 Dike
Macacos New Dike
B2 Dike
B3 Dike
EBII Dam (Matipó)
SHP Muniz Freire
PROX is a direct communication channel between the population and protection and defense agencies, such as the Civil Defense, Fire Department and the Military Police. In it, it is possible to monitor information about risk areas, evacuation points and access to self-protection procedures. Download the application for free and contribute to the multiplication of safety!
We want to share all our results with you with transparency.
See our monthly beacon for monitoring our structures. In the “comment” field, you can understand the result of each structure.
Periodic inspections and analyses by external consultants and experts are applied to our activities, in order to provide more transparency to all.
Currently, all geotechnical structures are regulated and the Dam Integrity Assurance Statement (DCE) is up to date.
Check the schedule of audits carried out and planned for 2023.
State Law 23,291 of 2019 determines, in its article 14, item VII, that the following data be made available by the entrepreneur on an electronic website with free access to the public:
a) Detailed information on outsourced companies referred to in paragraph 1 of article 6;
b) Results of reviews and monitoring of the degree of moisture and the level of the dam, with the respective ART:
Samarco Website Report – GERMANO dam Decharacterization
Samarco Site Report – EBII Dam
c) Semi-annual analysis of water and dust from tailings, with the respective ART:
Document Compliance with Law 23291
Does Samarco use a dam to deposit the tailings generated in mining activities?
Are the company's geotechnical structures stable? Do you have a stability report?
Does the company have an Emergency System?
Does the company carry out emergency drills?
In what situations do emergency sirens need to be triggered?
Currently, pursuant to legislation, the Germano dam and pit are in the process of being de-characterized. How does the monitoring of these structures work?
At the end of the de-characterization process and reintegration into the environment, will the structures be monitored?
Data da última atualização:
