Bento Rodrigues Dam Disaster: Environmental And Humanitarian Crisis In Brazil

Cause of the Bento Rodrigues Dam Disaster

Discuss about the Bento Rodrigues Dam Disaster.

The Bento Rodrigues dam disaster which happened on 5^th November 2015. This incident involved a catastrophic failure of the iron ore tailing of a dam in Miriana. The incident led to flooding in the area and destroyed the whole village of Bento Rodrigues. The disaster is considered to be the worst environmental disaster to have hit Brazil. In the disaster, more than 60 million cubic meters of iron ore sludge and wastes polluted river Doce. Displacements, water pollution, environmental pollution and deaths are some of negative impacts which were able to happen due to the disaster. In addition, other neighboring villages which were in the valley were also hit with minor damages. Due to the incident, the main road access to the municipality was rendered impassible. It was noted that leakage failure was the main cause of the incident. The disaster led to different reactions from the nationals and international parties. Moreover, the disaster also led to different effects to the companies involved.

Bento Rodrigues dam disaster is considered as one of the worst catastrophic environmental disaster in Brazil[1]. In this disaster, about 60 million cubic meters of iron wastes were able to flow into Doce River. This flow was able to cause toxic brown mudflows and therefore led to high pollution of the river. In addition, humanitarian crises happened around this time due to the disaster. Displacement of the people after the dam failure was one of the major humanitarian crises to happen. In this project, the tailings of the Fundao and Santarem dams were constructed and owned by Samarco Mineracao SA, which was a mining company. The company was located in Mariana municipality which is about 67 kilometers south east of Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais state in Brazil[2]. The main aims of the tailing were to accommodate the wastes which resulted from the extraction of the iron ore from the extensive Germano mine. The incident of the failure occurred at around 3:30 pm in the afternoon of 5^th November 2015. The dam started with experiencing a leak and some employees were sent to rectify the problem. They tried rectifying and maintaining the leak by deflating part of the reservoir. Rapture was able to occur at around 4:20 pm whereby a large volume of toxic sludge was released into Santarem river valley. The Bento valley which is located about 2.5 kilometers away below was completely flooded with the toxic sludge from the dam and mud[3]. In addition, during the investigation, it was noted that Samarco and the neighboring communities did not have the contingency plan or even the evacuation routes to avoid and mitigate such problems[4]. This meant that the firefighter and rescuers could not access the scene with road. The only option which was available was to access the scene through the use of helicopters[5]. During the incident, around 600 people were evacuated. The incident was able to be classified as the worst environmental disaster in Brazil from the effects and impact it had in the environment and people’s livelihood.

Environmental Impact of the Bento Rodrigues Dam Disaster

The incident had several negative impacts, ranging from the environmental effects of livelihoods of the people. First, the dam was used as a waste and sludge storage and this meant that its burst was able to pollute the environment with the toxic chemicals. The first impact of the dam failure led to the toxic chemicals flowing into the Rio Doce River[6]. The river basin was reported to have a drainage basin of about 86,715 kilometers. This river was able to cover about 230 municipalities. This meant that all the people in these municipalities were able to depend on this river for their survival. The wastes and sludge from the dam were able to flow into the river and this led to its pollution. The impact of affecting the marine and people livelihood was experienced from this kind of pollution. In addition, according to scientists and biologists who studied the impact and effect of this pollution concluded that a decade will be taken in order to have the toxic substances diluted in the river[7]. The people had to stop the water intake from the river due to the impact of the pollution. Water shortages in major towns and municipalities were experienced when the pollution was reported to be toxic. It was noted that the mud contained high and greater number of heavy metals than the accepted levels. Arsenic, lead and mercury are some of the heavy metals which were harmful to health and were reported to be present in the water and mud after the pollution. In addition, contamination of other rivers such as the Rio Gualaxo Do Norte was also noted and this meant that increased population was hit by the population and water shortages.

In addition, the pollution did not stop at the river. Contaminated water was able to flow all the way to the southern Atlantic Ocean. On November 22, the contamination was reported to reach the Atlantic Ocean. This meant that increased population and marine lives were affected due to the dam failure[8]. The toxic mud was able to be reported spreading out across the Espirito Santo coat. This did not only affect the water usage also led to the closure of the business and beaches. The economic impact was felt since the people in this region could not continue with their businesses and the tourism sector was highly affected. The impact was used due to the pollution on this area, which depended on the tourism section. In addition, the wastes were reported to have reached Bahia Littoral zone on 7^th January 2016. The spreading of the toxic mud meant that increased populations were feeling the impact of the dam failure[9]. In addition, environmental population and impact to the wildlife in Abrolhos Marine national Park is another impact which has been keenly observed. This is an important park for Brazil ecosystem[10]. It is able to host the major marine biodiversity in southern Atlantic Ocean. The toxic mud and minerals from the dam are considered too much harmful such that they can be able to wave away the marine ecosystem in this region.

Humanitarian Impact of the Bento Rodrigues Dam Disaster

In addition, the displacements and deaths were also experienced. About 17 people were reported dead due to the failure of the dam. In addition, the dam was able to lead to the displacement of the people downstream. People’s homes were completely destroyed and people had to be displaced from the region[11]. Humanitarian crises due to the displacement and lack of water after the pollution were highly reported. Around 200 homes in two villages were completely destroyed rendering the population homeless. Moreover, the vegetative cover downstream was also able to feel the impact of the dam failure. The toxic metals and mud is not able to support the vegetation life and thus the dam’s failure was a bad news to the environment and vegetation. The environmental pollution is another key major impact was experienced when the dam failed. The whole region downstream was colored red with the sludge which had toxic metals[12]. In addition, negative reputation of the mining industry and companies is another key impact which was reported. Lack of proper mitigation measures of the resource disposal was evident in the dam failure in this case.

After the incident, investigations on the possible causes of the dam failure started. Commissions were created in order to follow up and determine what was able to cause the incident. The commissions were able advocate for donation in order to carry out their duties and determine what happened. Nevertheless, concerned were also raised on the biasness which existence between the deputies who headed the commissions. 14 weeks after the incident, an internal document was leaked out which showed that Samarco had been warned about the dam and did not take any precaution[13]. Joaquim de Avila was contracted by the firm to design and oversee the construction of the Fundao dam between 2008 and 2013. From 2013, he was a part time consultant in the inspection of the dam. According to his report, major structural problems on the dam were reported in 2014 when doing his inspectorate report. He noted availability of major cracks on the dam and provided the construction of buttress as a measure to mitigate them. Samarco claimed to have implemented all the recommendations offered from Avila. The company also claimed that the dam was in the process of being heightened when the landfill reached its maximum level and the reservoir began to leak[14]. Additionally, during the investigation, Samarco failed to offer any comment on the buttress and claimed that it was never about the severity of the structural damage. In addition, the firm also indicated that it was never warned about imminence of a catastrophic failure happening.

Investigation and Consequences of the Bento Rodrigues Dam Disaster

After the disaster, Samarco Company was suspended from undertaking any further activities. In addition, due to the disaster, the Brazilian government fined Samarco a fine of R$250 million due to the occurrence of the incident. The incident was described as an ignorant activity of the company to take any preventive mechanism of the failure yet they had been warned about the status of the dam[15]. In addition, this fine was described to be preliminary and it may be increased if the two companies were found guilty of water pollution and damages. In addition, in January 2016, the Brazilian government and Samarco were able to reach an agreement of fine worth R$20 billion. This penalty was imposed on the company and did not include the compensation to the affected people nor the cost of recovering the polluted area. In addition, in October 2016, it was reported that the Brazilian prosecutors were reported to have filed a homicide charges against 21 people who included the top executive officials of Samarco owners BHP Billiton and Vale SA. These are the co-owners of Samarco in a joint venture and each company is considered to have a 50% stake on Samarco. The prosecution was able to help demand for the justice of the people who were affected by the disaster and the environmental pollution which was able to happen to the area.

National and international parties had different reactions to the disaster happening. First after the incident, the nationals reacted by starting with campaigns to collect donations for the homeless and those affected by the disaster. All manner of donations were advocated for and even bank accounts were opened in the aim of helping the affected people[16]. The matter was considered as an urgent and emergency. In addition, after the disaster, all the municipals activities till 16 November were cancelled. The days were dedicated to the rescue activities and support to those hit by the disaster. In addition, the federal government was able to place the federal forces for its disposal for the rescue activities. In addition, the churches were not left and messages of consolation to those affected were offered. The church urged the other to help those affected in anyway. The nation was in solidarity with those affected and the nationals were sympathizing with the affected people. In addition, in order to continue with the collection of resources to help the affected, a football match between Cruzeiro and Sao Paulo was organized on 8^th November[17]. The national was seen to be united and looking to help those affected. In addition, the nation was seen to demand the justice for those affected by the disaster. Calls from the citizens to help look on the matter and determine what happened were also heard.

In addition, the international community was not left behind when the news of the disaster broke out. Report was issue from the United Nations, which was seen to be contracting the report which the Brazilian government was able to issue. The report contradicted the Brazilian government that the companies involved in mining and releases of chemicals which were harmless[18]. The report by the UN experts indicated that the mud had high levels of toxic heavy metals and other toxic chemicals. The report also was able to critics to the slow release of information. Nevertheless, although heavy metals were found, the report did not have much contradiction with the report which was issues 2010 geological survey, which showed that the tailing that entered Rio Doce River was composed of clay and silt containing iron ore[19]. France and Romania were also able to offer their consolation to the Brazilian nation and those affected by the disaster. In addition, well-wisher such as North American band Pearl jam, which performed in Horizonte on 20^th November promised to donate the proceedings of their concert to the victims of the disaster. In addition, singer Eddie Vedder also gave a speech where he called for harsh punishment to be imposed on Samarco and those involved in the disaster. The international communities as well as the nationals were all concerned with the justice for the victim. The parties were able to sympathize with the victim and all agreed that someone had to be accountable and pay for the disaster caused[20]. Donations and consolations messages were offered from all angles sympathizing with the victims. Company neglect was seen to be aggravating international people for their failure to take actions to care for the population leaving in the surrounding of the dam and near the rivers.

The Samarco reputation was highly affected and led to the suspension of the company to operate. The leaking of the report that the company had been warned about eminent danger of the dam was able to increase a negative reputation of the company socially and its concentration on the lives of the people. Not only the reputation of Samarco through the owner companies was affected socially but the public changed their view on the different mining companies. Much of the blame in this incident was placed on the mining company Samraco[21]. This meant that a lot of focus was therefore placed on mining company’s and the way they are able to dispose their metals to the environment and water resources. This affected the lives of the people and this was able to change the way the public socially felt about the mining companies.

The two major companies which are main owners of Samarco include the Vale SA and BHP Biliton. The social reputation of these companies was largely affected with different people calling for them to take up for their negligence and compensate the victims. Many people were able to lay the blame of the disaster on these companies[22]. In addition, court injunctions were issued and filed suing the companies for the disaster happening. The suing are able to affect the companies negatively and changing the public view of the companies. BHP had been considered has the leader in environmental responsibility before the incident. The social reputation was highly affected more when information of the toxic metals and minerals were considered to be deposited into the river. As a social disaster, the Samarco is able to affect the reputation of the company involved. The effects on the lives and social effect of the people is able to live long. This means that the mention of the companies will remind the public of the disaster which will contribute negatively to the social reputation of the companies. Lack of focus on the human rights by the companies considering failure warning had been issues was able to contribute negatively to the social reputation of the companies. The disaster is considered by many as an ignorance of the company to rectify a mistake which had already been identified. This meant that the companies did not care much about the public health and welfare but more on their own production. The UN experts reports were able to show that the rivers within were testing positive for the iron ore metals and chemicals. This means that the companies were not properly controlling the release of the metals and chemicals to the resources nearby[23]. This was able to affect the social reputation of the companies. It painted the picture that the companies were killing the people through the disposal of the toxic metals. In addition, failure of the company to explain on the construction of the buttress as recommended was able to paint a negative social image of the companies. This showed that the company had not taken full measures to control the failure of the dam as recommended by the experts.

After the incident, laws and regulations to control the disposal of mining wastes were developed. One of the key lessons from the disaster is that the disposal laws were too weak to protect the public and environment from harm. After the disaster, the Brazilian government was able to submit the National Congress bill of law which was setting new legal framework for the mining activities. The disaster was able to show that the available legal laws to control the mining activities were weak and disasters could happen anytime[24]. The disaster showed there is need to have a controlled environment where companied have to check their mining systems in order to prevent such disasters. Provision of human rights protection was seen to be an essential part of the legal framework in the mining activities and disposal of mining effluents. In addition, the disaster was able to offer the lesson on the need to have the balance between economic interest and human protection. The incident was able to show that a lot of focus was being done on the economic interest and leaving the human protection behind. The disaster showed that there is need to have the two sectors balanced since the dangers and disasters can happen and cause a lot of harm to the public.

In addition, other key lessons were able to show that environmental regulations were weak and needed strengthening. The environmental pollution even before the disaster was found to have been happening on the rivers around the mines. This showed that there is need to have increased control of the mine pollution to the environment (Guerra et al., 2017). In addition, in order to control such disasters in future, a key lesson was that continuous assessment of the mines and their disposals is important. Preliminary investigation shows that the disasters warning had been issues considering the identification of dam structural failures. Nevertheless, another lesson is that it is important to carry full implementation of the recommendation offered. The lack of proper explanation of buttress construction as recommended can be attributed to the failure. The Samarco management did not take the full recommendation and this led to the failure of the dam[25]. It is therefore important to involve experts and implement their recommendation to the fullest in order to avoid such disasters in future. Lastly, another key learning from the disaster is that it is important to consider the design requirements and capacity of the facility. The initial design and leakage are seen to the main causes of the dam failure. If the design would have been perfectly done, the failure could not have occurred.

Conclusion

The Samarco disaster led to adverse effect both in economic and environmental factors. The Samarco project was a joint venture between Vale SA and BHP Biliton. The project involved disposal of iron ore wastes from Germano mine. The failure of the dam tailing resulted to over flooding in the valley leading to displacements and environmental pollutions. The rivers nearby and villages were able to experience the adverse effects of the dam failure. Water pollution was considered to be one of the major environmental pollution effects which were felt due to the dam failure. The possibility of the dam collapse had been issued according to the leaked document and it was clear that the company did not action and mitigates the failure. The managements was issued with a report showing the failure weaknesses and recommendations to rectify them. Failure to take the recommendation serious was able to lead to the failure and management was hit with a fine for the occurrence of the disaster. The disaster was considered as a key lesson which was offered for the mining and dam construction industries.

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