Five months after a Samarco’s iron ore waste dam burst, killing 19 people, the public ministry in the state of Minas Gerais (MPMG), a body of public prosecutors, filed a lawsuit against the pellets producer because mud has continued to leak from the affected dam.
The lawsuit was filed this week and asks Samarco to fix the leakage in the Fundao dam within five days. MPMG is also asking for a daily fine of BRL 1 million. A court in the state of Minas Gerais is yet to decide the case.
MPMG’s lawsuit asks Samarco, a 50/50 JV between Vale and BHP Billiton, to be prevented from operating until the mud leakages are solved, according to a local media report.
About 5 million-cubic-meters of iron ore waste went to the Doce River in 2016, according to estimates from the prosecutors.
Meanwhile, Samarco is said to be negotiating with a local union the extending to June of a paid leave for its workers. The current paid leave for the company’s workers in the state of Espirito Santo expires in April 25. About 1,182 workers have joined the paid leave, according to a media report.
A Samarco executive admitted that the company could dismiss workers between June and October. The company expects to resume operations in Q4 this year, but depends on a license from a local environment authority.