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Mining company Vale has detected cracks in the Forquilha III dam in Minas Gerais, increasing the risk of a rupture. The site, which has been under emergency level 3 since 2019, is being monitored and the area has already been evacuated.
Since 2019, residents of Ouro Preto have been living under the shadow of fear, always waiting for news they would never want to hear.
The Forquilha III dam, located in the Fábrica mine, was already marked by imminent danger of rupture. But a new discovery has brought to light an even more frightening reality. And no, it's not what you're thinking – at least not yet.
Last Friday (13), the mining company Vale announced the discovery of surface cracks in the dam structure. Although the company claims that stability conditions were not changed, the risk is not negligible.
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The highest alert has been activated, with the surrounding area already being evacuated in case of a catastrophe. What is being done to prevent another environmental disaster?
Cracks found during inspection
The Forquilha III dam is in state of emergency level 3 since 2019, the highest on the scale of the National Mining Agency (ANM).
This means an “imminent risk of rupture”. Vale, however, seeks to reassure the population by stating that the site is permanently monitored.
The recently discovered cracks appeared during a routine inspection carried out as part of safety procedures.
In immediate response, the mining company informed the competent bodies and began implementing an action plan to investigate the situation and make the necessary corrections.
According to the company, the dam has a containment structure downstream and a fully evacuated self-rescue zone, without the presence of communities at risk.
Problem history
It is not the first time that Forquilha III dam presents anomalies. In April of this year, an anomaly was identified in one of the structure's 131 drainage devices.
At that time, the mining company also assured that stability conditions had not been compromised, with monitoring being carried out daily.
The dam was evacuated in 2019, and since then, several security measures were implemented to prevent a breakup.
Among these measures, the decommissioning of the dam is underway, with completion scheduled for 2035. The process involves the removal of mining waste and the environmental recovery of the area.
Vale's future plans and risks
The forecast for completion of the decharacterization works by 2035 raises questions, especially considering the history of environmental disasters in Brazil involving mining companies.
In case of rupture, the basins of the Rio das Velhas and the Paraopeba River would be the most affected, with devastating consequences for the environment and riverside communities.
A Vale reinforces that it remains committed in advancing the decharacterization of the structure and reduce the emergency level of the dam, seeking to minimize risks to the population and the environment.
Current situation and perspectives
Although the risk of rupture is real, continuous monitoring and implemented safety measures are considered essential to avoid a disaster.
The ANM, in turn, has not yet responded to the latest information released by Vale, but new details are expected to emerge soon.
What is striking is that the mining company Vale, even after the Brumadinho disaster, faces similar challenges, which raises questions about the effectiveness of the preventive actions adopted.
In any case, the current situation at the Forquilha III dam in Ouro Preto is a red alert for the authorities and the population. With cracks being detected and a history of problems, The question remains: is Brazil prepared to prevent a new environmental tragedy? Furthermore, will the speed of the works and containment measures be sufficient to protect the region and prevent another disaster like Mariana?
