MARIANA — 2015 · Major Tragedy
The Mariana Dam Collapse
On 5 November 2015 the Fundão tailings dam at the Germano iron-ore mine, run by Samarco, a joint venture of Vale and BHP, failed in Minas Gerais state. The 43.7 million cubic metres of mine waste released engulfed the downstream villages of Bento Rodrigues and Paracatu de Baixo, killing 19 people. The sludge travelled 668 km along the Doce River and reached the Atlantic 17 days later; hundreds were displaced and towns along the river lost their water supply. Considered Brazil's worst environmental disaster, it led to charges against 21 executives in 2016 and years of litigation. In October 2024 the companies signed a compensation agreement of about US$30 billion with the Brazilian government.
- Date
- 2015
- Place
- Bento Rodrigues, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Mariana, BR
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- -20.2330, -43.4180 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 5 November 2015The Fundão dam collapsed; Bento Rodrigues was buried in mud.
- 22 November 2015The sludge reached the Atlantic via the Doce River.
- 201621 executives were charged with homicide and environmental crimes.
- October-November 2024A compensation deal of about US$30 billion was signed and approved.
Sources
- Al Jazeera — Dam burst at mining site devastates Brazilian town aljazeera.com ↗
- Al Jazeera — Toxic sludge reaches Atlantic after Brazil dams burst aljazeera.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Mariana dam disaster en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Al Jazeera
- El País Brasil
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.