Join us in remembering those who were killed by the collapse of Vale’s tailings dam in Brumadinho, and in showing our solidarity by those threatened by the current flooding in Minas Gerais. We will gather outside the Brazilian Embassy in London for a candlelight vigil, hear the names of those lost, and demand more action be taken holding Vale to account.
On 25 January 2019 a tailings dam at Córrego do Feijão iron ore mine, owned by Vale, collapsed. At least 270 people died in the resulting mudslide. In the years since at least 18 of Vale’s other dams in Brazil have failed to meet safety standards, and while both Vale and TÜV Süd (the auditor who declared the dam at Brumadinho safe) have been charged, no criminal prosecutions have yet taken place. Vale continues to operate and profit in Brazil. Their dams continue to be a threat to the lives, livelihoods and environments of all those who live near them.
Currently, Brumadinho and the state of Minas Gerais are suffering from flooding and landslides. At least one tailings dam in the area has overflowed and thousands of people have been displaced or made homeless. While Vale temporarily suspended its operations, it has already begun mining again despite the risks of dams overflowing.