THE INDEPENDENT DAM SAFETY RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM DESIGNED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE MINAS GERAIS STATE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Abstract

This paper presents the dam safety risk management system designed and implemented by the Minas Gerais State Prosecutor’s Office to avoid the occurrence of new mining disasters. Interdisciplinary research was used to assess the importance of the Terms of Covenant in the mining sector. A bibliographic and documented research technique was also used, specifying both the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject. The data presented in the “Results” section were obtained from the answers presented by independent auditing companies to the questions posed to identify quantitative and qualitative indicators of improvement in the dam safety risk management to people and the environment. As main results of the system implementation, several tailings storage facilities were audited, fauna emergency plans and dam break studies were reviewed, sirens were installed and evacuation drills were conducted, with the continuous monitoring of independent technical audits that issued hundreds of recommendations to ensure that Brazilian norms, best practices, and international standards were met. It is expected that the system will serve as a paradigm for other initiatives aimed at reducing the risks generated by mining tailings dams in Brazil and all over the world.