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Mining Dam Failures in Brazil: Comparing Legal Post-Disaster Decisions

Author

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  • Paola Pinheiro Bernardi Primo

    (Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória 29075-910, Brazil)

  • Michele Nacif Antunes

    (Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória 29075-910, Brazil)

  • Ana Rosa Linde Arias

    (Escola de Matemática Aplicada, Fundação Getúlio Vargas, Rio de Janeiro 22250-900, Brazil)

  • Adauto Emmerich Oliveira

    (Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória 29075-910, Brazil)

  • Carlos Eduardo Siqueira

    (Public Health Master Programme, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
    School for the Environment, UMass Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA)

Abstract

Mining dam failures have increased worldwide since the 1980s. Two large mining dam failures occurred recently in Mariana and Brumadinho, both in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We hypothesize that there were significant differences in legal post-disaster decisions. The aim of this article is to understand the similarities and differences of post-disaster actions and controversies in Mariana and Brumadinho. We reviewed 686 news reports about court decisions and settlement agreements from the websites of state and federal courts and judicial institutions. After classifying the reports using an adapted protocol from a media health observatory, we conducted a thematic analysis. Our analysis suggests that there were significant differences in legal post-disaster decisions in the cases of Mariana and Brumadinho. In Mariana, there was privatization of post-disaster management, with the creation of the Renova Foundation, a mediated indemnity program, lack of access to information for those affected, and uncertainties in health and resettlement issues. In Brumadinho, there was faster implementation of the recovery and compensation measures, faster recognition of affected parties, and stronger participation of the population since the first hearings. Even though there were particularities in post-disaster management, the ultimate goal of the corporations responsible for the disasters was to protect their profits.

Suggested Citation

  • Paola Pinheiro Bernardi Primo & Michele Nacif Antunes & Ana Rosa Linde Arias & Adauto Emmerich Oliveira & Carlos Eduardo Siqueira, 2021. "Mining Dam Failures in Brazil: Comparing Legal Post-Disaster Decisions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11346-:d:667323
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kathleen Tierney, 2012. "A bridge to somewhere: William Freudenburg, environmental sociology, and disaster research," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 2(1), pages 58-68, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rose, Rodrigo L. & Mugi, Sohan R. & Saleh, Joseph Homer, 2023. "Accident investigation and lessons not learned: AcciMap analysis of successive tailings dam collapses in Brazil," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).

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