07/05/2016
Representatives of the 226 families which used to live in Bento Rodrigues (district of Mariana), chose today, May 7th, the site where the new community will be built. With 92% of the votes, the site known as Lavoura was the winner. The criteria for the voting were defined together with the residents as well as representatives of the Public Prosecution Service. This is one more phase of the reconstruction actions developed by Samarco after the collapse of the Fundão dam.
The chosen site covers an area of 350 hectares and is located on the route of the Estrada Real, the Royal Road, some 8 km from Mariana and 9 km from the former district of Bento Rodrigues. Lavoura offers favorable topography, easy access to public transportation, good water supply and proximity to springs, in addition to quality soil for planting and raising livestock.
“This definition reached today is the outcome of a process which was initiated in January, with meetings with the community to hear the needs and opinions of the families. Nothing was imposed. Today, we lend continuity to the process and will do everything in our power to conclude construction as fast as possible”, stated José Luiz Furquim, leader of Samarco´s socioeconomic programs.
The process leading up to the selection of the site followed strict rules, since it was necessary to listen to the wishes of all of the approximately 700 residents of the district. Thirty seven meetings were held, as well as two town hall meetings, and two visit programs to the pre-qualified sites were carried out – Lavoura, Carabina and Bicas.
According to Antonio Pereira Gonçalves, member of the Bento Rodrigues Residents Committee, the election process was fundamental for the validation of the community’s choice. “The community was already leaning to one of the possible sites, but this election was essential to confirm this preference. This is the site that is closest to Bento Rodrigues, and has good land for planting and is rich in water supply. In Lavoura, we feel like we are in Bento Rodrigues”, he said.
Complying with a request of the Public Prosecution Service of Minas Gerais, more detailed technical studies will be carried out regarding the feasibility of the area. The next step, to be taken together with the residents, will be the definition of the urban layout, with houses as well as common use areas such as squares, schools, health service centers, religious temples and soccer fields. According to the agreement signed with the federal government and the governments of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, as well as other government entities, Samarco has three years in which to reconstruct Bento Rodrigues. But Samarco will spare no efforts to finish the construction within the shortest time possible.
See how the Lavoura site was chosen:
