Vale Mining Company Ordered to Pay Over R$ 3.5 Million to Families of Victims from Brumadinho Dam Collapse

A Brazilian State Judge Ordered Thursday That Mining Giant Vale Pays Nearly US $ 3 Million to the Families of Three Victims of a Brumadinho (MG) Dam Collapse That Released Waste That Killed Hundreds of People.

Mining Company Vale has been struggling to deal with the aftermath of the Brumadinho (MG) dam failure that expelled millions of tons of mining waste across the countryside and forced the suspension of some of its operations. The disaster was the second involving mining company Vale in three years in the mineral-rich region. Since then, Brazil has banned the construction of new upstream dams, cheaper but less stable than other types of tailings dams. Ultimately, it ordered the decommissioning of those that exist.

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Donations and Compensation

The Mining Company Vale acted swiftly to address the financial uncertainty of families impacted by the dam break. In the last six months, Vale has already begun paying emergency compensations, both individual and labor-related, to over a hundred thousand people. In addition to making voluntary donations to those affected, including farmers and merchants from the impacted areas, covering personal expenses immediately.

Just three days after the breach, Vale announced that it would provide voluntary donations to cover the short-term personal expenses of families, farmers, and merchants from Córrego do Feijão and Parque da Cachoeira.

In Brumadinho, 276 families of the victims received donations totaling R $ 100,000, and 101 families residing in the Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS). Thus, at the time of the breach, they received R $ 50,000 and 91 rural producers and merchants with productive activities in the ZAS received R $ 15,000.

Special Department for Supporting Families of Brumadinho Victims

Undoubtedly, on April 30, Mining Company Vale announced the creation of a Special Department for Reparation and Development to focus on actions involving the reparation of the damages caused by the B1 dam break. The department has over 400 dedicated employees and began coordinating socioeconomic and environmental actions to restore the affected municipalities.

Moreover, the goal is to engage with events and improve the company’s relationship with the communities. The department’s reports are made directly to the company’s CEO.

Similarly, regarding the families of Vale employees and third parties affected by the dam breach, Vale has complied with the Public Civil Action (PCA) signed on February 15 with the Public Labor Ministry and unions for emergency assistance to families. Providing, among other terms, the payment of 2/3 of the salaries of all deceased employees and third parties, health insurance for family members, childcare assistance, and educational assistance.

Finally, the PCA was in effect until the final settlement of the contract, signed on July 15, with the Ministry of Labor of Minas Gerais. From now on, the families of the victims of the B1 dam break in the Córrego do Feijão mine in Brumadinho can receive reparations, starting individual agreements, observing the following claims: