Tailings dam scenario: knowing to avoid new catastrophes

Abstract

Mining is one of the key sectors of the Brazilian economy. However, despite its importance, tailings production is still significant and constitutes one of the greatest problems in this sector. Moreover, dam failure events have marked the history of the mining sector. From this perspective, this study aimed to assess the current scenario of tailings dams based on information contained in the SIGBM database. First, the number of dams included in the PNSB, their risk categories, potential damage, level of emergency, and other factors were observed. Then, data analysis indicated that Minas Gerais is the state with the largest number of dams included in the PNSB, with high CRI and DPA, dam construction by the upstream method, and dams classified as emergency level 3, thus requiring extra attention and interventions in order to ensure their safety.