Samarco Receives Authorization to Expand Iron Ore Mining in Mariana and Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais

The Alegria Norte and Alegria Sul Mines in Minas Gerais Will Have Their Iron Ore Exploration Plants Expanded After Samarco Obtains Authorization from Copam, Necessary for the Continuity of the Expansion Project

The State Environmental Policy Council (Copam) granted Samarco authorization to expand the Germano Mining Complex, located between the cities of Mariana and Ouro Preto, in Minas Gerais. Thus, the company highlighted this past Monday (05/16) that it will invest in the gradual expansion of the iron ore exploration mines over the coming years to ensure more safety throughout the expansion process of the plants.

Copam Authorizes Samarco to Expand Iron Ore Mines Located in an Environmental Protection Area Near the Fundão Dam in Minas Gerais

The authorization for the expansion of the Germano Mining Complex, located between the cities of Mariana and Ouro Preto in Minas Gerais, was granted by Copam to Samarco and could lead to new directions for mining in the region. The iron ore exploration mines are located near the Fundão dam, which caused the deaths of 19 people in 2015 after a rupture and disaster, bringing damages that persist to this day in the region. 

Thus, although it is an area of environmental and safety risk, the Copam’s authorization now allows Samarco to intervene in 35 hectares of Atlantic Forest, of which 11 hectares are located in a Permanent Preservation Area (APP). The Germano Mining Complex consists of the Alegria Norte and Alegria Sul mines and is a highly profitable project in iron ore production. Therefore, Samarco will be able to further expand the exploration and commercialization of the raw material during the expansion plan in the coming years.

Furthermore, the areas where Samarco will intervene to expand the mines are located in the sub-basins of the Piranga and Piracicaba rivers, which are part of the Doce River basin and have certain environmental sensitivity. Even with the entire scenario of environmental impacts that mining faces in Brazil, Copam stated that the expansion of the exploration area is necessary to continue production in the Alegria do Sul and Alegria do Norte mines.

Mining Company Highlights That It Will Expand the Iron Ore Exploration Mines Safely and Cautiously in a Gradual Manner Over the Coming Years

In response to concerns about the environmental impact of the mine expansion, Samarco issued a statement emphasizing that the process of expanding iron ore exploration in the region will be carried out slowly and respecting environmental limits. The company also highlighted: “The request was made to meet the current moment of the company, which operates at 26% of its productive capacity, and not for the full resumption of activities. Forest compensations for the suppression of this area are being properly made, in accordance with the legislation, with the preservation of 128 hectares, which represents more than three times the suppressed area.”

This expansion process has been pending at Copam for several years, as the Secretary of the Environment and Sustainable Development (Semad) stated that Samarco made the initial request in 2017, but only now managed to finalize the entire process. This happened because Samarco needed to review the studies regarding the expansion project to ensure that all works would be conducted safely, with the aim of avoiding other disasters in the region. 

Finally, Semad clarifies that the topic was discussed in the 84th Copam meeting and that, since then, no irregularities have been found for the mine expansion project. Thus, Samarco will be able to proceed with its initiative over the coming years.