13/12/2016
Samarco divided its actions between the rehabilitation of the damaged structures and the containment works. With these measures, the Company aims at ensuring the safety of structures, as well as retaining the tailings that are in its area. This work is linked to the Integrated Environmental Recovery Plan (PRAI), which focuses on measures that have as their final purpose the rehabilitation of rivers and affected areas.
Reinforcement and optimization works are underway in four structures that were damaged by the failure: the Sela, Tulip and Selinha Dikes, as well as the Santarém dam, which lies further down. In addition to the rehabilitation of the eroded parts, the work performed has a preventive nature, which includes, among other actions, the reinforcement of walls and works of new drainage structures. Some interventions have been completed and the remaining interventions are expected to be delivered by mid-2017.
Other changes are related to dam monitoring. Germano’s unit received equipment for the inspection of dikes and other dam structures. New cameras, five-millimeter precision radars, weather station, drones and accelerometer enabled more information to be sent to the monitoring room, where a team of 55 professionals overview the remaining areas of the dams 24 hours a day. Twenty sirens were also installed, five in the plant and 15 in locations between the dam and the city of Barra Longa. The local population was instructed on how to proceed and reach the meeting points when the warning of these mechanisms is set off.
The sediment containment works are a priority for Samarco. It is necessary to prevent the tailings still in Fundão from reaching the Candonga reservoir and hinder the dredging which is carried out there. Last February, Samarco ended the construction of two sediment containment barriers, S1-A and S2-A, located after the Santarém dam, within the Company’s area. The construction of Dike S3, in the Santarém stream, was completed on February 21 and raised, which increased its containment capacity to 800 thousand cubic meters.
Four barriers are being built within the Fundão dam to slow the movement of the remaining tailings, if this occurs. Barrier 2 has been completed, while 1 and 3 are under construction. When finished, the work on structure 4 will begin.
Other planned interventions are already in progress. Among them, the erection of another containment structure, Axis 1, and the new Santarém dam. Dike S3 is also under construction, receiving a new raising of the crest, which will increase its containment capacity to 800 thousand cubic meters.
In September 2016, the Government of Minas Gerais authorized Samarco to build another dam, the S4, which will be located in Bento Rodrigues. The Company was authorized to use properties already impacted by the tailings in the district for the construction of the temporary structure and consequent flooding. The stone wall in the district, dating back to the 18th century, is preserved by a roof. The ruin of the São Bento Chapel and the Bento Rodrigues Cemetery will not be flooded.
With Dike S4, the emergency sediment retention system is completed, including the S1, S2 and S3 Dikes and the Nova Santarém dam, in addition to the Fundão structures: Axis 1 and the four internal barriers.
