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The gold mine in Minas Gerais, located in the municipalities of Conceição do Pará and Pitangui, was closed by the National Mining Agency (ANM) this Saturday (07/12). The reason? An “imminent risk” of a landslide in a pile of tailings identified during an inspection. The decision immediately suspends all activities at the site and raises the alert regarding safety in the region.
The mining company responsible, Mineração Serras do Oeste Limitada (MSOL), owned by the Canadian company Jaguar Mining, reported having identified an “anomaly” in a pile of tailings at the Turmalina unit, in the town of Castilhos, during an inspection of the gold mine. The mining company claims to have acted quickly to alert the authorities and take action, but the incident has already had consequences.
Evacuated community and emergency measures
The landslide recorded on Saturday morning mobilized authorities and the local population. In total, 67 residents of the Castilhos community were evacuated, as well as workers from the gold mine in Minas Gerais. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, ordered strict inspection of the facilities and reinforced the priority of ensuring the safety of all those involved.
“Take immediate measures to guarantee the stability of the structures, the safety of the mine, the surrounding community and the environment,” the minister declared in an official letter.
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ANM strengthens inspection at gold mine in MG
During an inspection at the site, ANM technicians confirmed the risk of landslides and the lack of evidence of the project's stability. The closure of the gold mine in Minas Gerais also involves emergency actions to protect the community and the environment.
The ANM authorized the mining company to carry out the necessary interventions to stabilize the tailings pile. These measures aim to prevent new accidents and minimize socio-environmental impacts.
Mining company promises collaboration
Jaguar Mining said in a statement that it is providing support to the affected community and keeping authorities informed. According to the company, all emergency actions were taken immediately after the problem was identified.
“We are committed to supporting residents in the local community and will keep regulatory agencies updated on the situation,” the mining company said.
Impacts and next steps
The case of the gold mine in MG raises questions about safety in mining and the environmental impacts associated with the activity. In addition to corrective measures, the situation demands greater monitoring in other operations to prevent tragedies.
Authorities continue to monitor the development of the situation, while the affected community awaits definitive solutions and greater security.
