The Toll of Mining (2022)
Three years after the disastrous collapse of mining giant Vale's tailings dam that released the equivalent of 4,700 Olympic swimming pools of mineral waste and killed at least 270 people in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, a lingering fear remains in towns near dozens of other similar tailings dams in the region. While residents of Brumadinho still grieve their lost family members and deal with the severe economic, environmental and health consequences of the disaster that occurred three years ago, several other towns located near risky dams in the region fear that another similar event may occur at any moment. The onset of heavy rains in Minas Gerais in the beginning of 2022 left many towns like the São Sebastião das Águas Claras district of Nova Lima, Minas Gerais completely flooded. Hundreds of homes and businesses located in flood risk zones in cities near tailings dams like Nova Lima have faced evacuations since the collapse of the dam in Brumadinho, pushing many to move away to other towns and the leaving those who stay nervous about another potential disaster: “We’re living on top of ticking time bombs”.
Assignment for The Wall Street Journal: “Deadly Mining Disaster Still Tests Vale Three Years Later” and “Mining Towns Live in Fear of Another Deadly Dam Collapse”.
