05/05/2016
The Brazilian Justice approved on Thursday, May 5th, the agreement signed between Samarco, its parent companies Vale and BHP Billiton, the Federal Government, the state governments of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, and other government entities. Signed on March 2nd, the Agreement has 41 programs of social, environmental and economic rehabilitation of the areas impacted by the Fundão Dam burst.
The agreement, signed on March 2nd, is considered a milestone in post-environmental accident recovery and compensation processes. It lists 41 socio-environmental and socio-economic programs that will allow the affected area to reestablish its conditions prior to the dam collapse. It brings clear commitments, defines deadlines for submission and execution of projects and sets transparency and accountability for the activities performed. All projects are monitored by the affected populations, there will be external audits and an ombudsman service will be created to serve the citizens.
The Agreement for social and environmental recovery is the result of a broad-reaching discussion, which involved, in addition to the governments, representatives of entities related to the environment and the impacted population. It reiterates Samarco´s commitment to the reclamation of the affected areas and the resumption of the economic activities in the region within the shortest time possible.
The Agreement also defines the creation of a private foundation which will be responsible for the execution of all necessary projects. The creation of the foundation is already underway and it should start operating by August 2nd. “The approval is the recognition by the Courts of our commitment to the recovery of the impacted areas. This agreement represents a breakthrough in the way of dealing with major issues involving the public power and the private sector, in defense of the interests of society and of populations affected by accidents like this”, said Roberto Carvalho, Samarco’s CEO.
This year, Samarco will transfer to the foundation R$ 2 billion aiming at the implementation of the programs. In 2017 and 2018 there will be investments of R$ 1.2 billion per year. In subsequent years, the funds destined to the foundation will be the necessary for the actions. Another R$ 500 million will be used by 2018 for sanitation works in the cities along the Doce River.
Participants
Participated in the agreement negotiations, as well as representatives of Samarco, Vale, BHP Billiton and the Federal and State Governments, members of the Federal and of the Minas Gerais and the Espírito Santo State Public Prosecutor’s Office, Ibama, Chico Mendes Institute, ANA (National Water Agency), DNPM (National Department of Mineral Production), IEF (State Institute of Forests), IGAM (Water Management Institute of Minas Gerais), FEAM (State Environment Foundation), IEMA (State Institute of Environment and Water Resources of Espírito Santo) and AGERH (State Agency of Water Resources of Espírito Santo).
