Barragem de Fundão and Mina do Córrego do Feijão dams rupture in Minas Gerais, Brazil: untended organizational decisions and unlearned lessons

Abstract

Introduction: the rupture of mine-tailing dams in Brazil accounted for the largest socio-environmental disaster in 2015, and for the major work-related accident in 2019, causing, respectively, the death of 19 and 270 workers and residents of the affected areas. Objective: this study aimed to identify and discuss management, operational, and maintenance factors that may lead to dam failure, as well as suggest measures to improve management systems of mining companies, public policies, and technical regulations related to dam safety. Methods: essay based on documentary research making use of the accidents official reports, technical and scientific publications, and relevant legislation. Result: factors related to management, operation, maintenance, engineering, and work environment contributed to the dams rupture of Barragem do Fundão and Mina do Córrego do Feijão. We discussed management decisions that led to both events, as well as measures that could have prevented them. Conclusion: the findings highlight the relevance of the technicians’ and managers’ autonomy in decision-making, besides indicating the need for changing technical standards maintained by companies, and state control, and licensing criteria for activities involving great environmental and social risk.