The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology

Vale carry out new dam drill

(Posted on 20/05/19)

Vale continues to work together with public authorities to provide clarifications to the population of Barão de Cocais (Minas Gerais). Approximately 1,600 residents of the city's Secondary Safety Zone (ZSS) attended a new emergency drill this Saturday, 18/5. The preventive action was implemented by the state Civil Defense, supported by Vale, the Civil and Military Police, the Military Fire Service and the City Government. 350 Vale employees joined the activity and provided all logistical support to the relevant agencies.

The goal was to reinforce guidelines and train the population living in the Secondary Safety Zone on how to proceed in case of an emergency at the Sul Superior dam of the Gongo Soco mine. The action was motivated by potential vibration impacts the North slope at the extraction site of the mine may cause on the dam.

The training lasted 48 minutes and was attended by 26.75% of the expected participants. It is important to emphasize that the residents of ZSS received training on March 25. On that occasion, Vale set up seven meeting points operating 24/7 in the city.

The Sul Superior dam is at Level 3 safety warning since March 22. On February 8, approximately 400 people were removed from the Self Rescue Zone (ZAS) in the communities of Piteiras, Socorro, Tabuleiro and Vila do Gongo, as a preventive measure. They were accommodated in provisional houses rented by Vale, as well as in hotels and inns of the region, while others preferred to stay with their relatives.

The company and Civil Defense also carried out emergency drills with residents of the Secondary Safety Zone (ZSS) of the municipalities of Santa Barbara (29/3) and São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo (3/4).