{"id":97366,"date":"2026-01-29T11:48:36","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T14:48:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/murray.adv.br\/?p=97366"},"modified":"2026-01-29T11:48:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T14:48:36","slug":"minas-gerais-city-halts-vale-mining-permits-after-water-overflows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/murray.adv.br\/en\/minas-gerais-city-halts-vale-mining-permits-after-water-overflows\/","title":{"rendered":"Minas Gerais city halts Vale mining permits after water overflows"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"content--header\">\n<div class=\"row content-head non-featured \">\n<div class=\"title\">\n<h6 class=\"content-head__title\" style=\"text-align: center\"><em><strong>Suspension targets F\u00e1brica and Viga units after heavy rains in Congonhas raise safety concerns<\/strong><\/em><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content__signa-share\">\n<div class=\"content__signature\">\n<div class=\"content-publication-data\">\n<div class=\"content-publication-data__text\">\n<div class=\"content-publication-data__from\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"content-publication-data__updated\">01\/29\/2026\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content__share-bar-container\">\n<div class=\"content__share-bar\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div id=\"mc-article-body\" class=\"mc-article-body \">\n<article>\n<div class=\"no-paywall\">\n<div class=\"mc-column content-text active-extra-styles active-capital-letter\" data-block-type=\"unstyled\" data-block-weight=\"42\" data-block-id=\"1\">\n<p class=\" content-text__container theme-color-primary-first-letter\" data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">The city government of Congonhas, in the state of Minas Gerais, has suspended the operating permits for Vale\u2019s F\u00e1brica and Viga units following recent rainwater overflows. The municipality also demanded that the mining company implement emergency environmental control, monitoring, and mitigation measures.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wall protected-content\">\n<div class=\"mc-column content-text active-extra-styles \" data-block-type=\"unstyled\" data-block-weight=\"33\" data-block-id=\"2\">\n<p class=\" content-text__container \" data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">Vale said on Monday evening (26) that it had halted operations at both sites and would \u201crespond promptly to the actions required, fully cooperating with the relevant authorities and providing all necessary clarifications.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-column content-text active-extra-styles \" data-block-type=\"unstyled\" data-block-weight=\"36\" data-block-id=\"3\">\n<p class=\" content-text__container \" data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">After the two incidents, Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira pressed for an effective resolution, warning that the government could shut down the operations if needed to ensure the safety of local communities and the environment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-column content-text active-extra-styles \" data-block-type=\"unstyled\" data-block-weight=\"38\" data-block-id=\"5\">\n<p class=\" content-text__container \" data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">In a statement, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) said it had ordered federal, state, and municipal authorities to inspect the facilities, consider possible penalties, and take appropriate steps to repair any material, environmental, or personal damages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-column content-text active-extra-styles \" data-block-type=\"unstyled\" data-block-weight=\"31\" data-block-id=\"6\">\n<p class=\" content-text__container \" data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">The ministry also called for a formal investigation to determine responsibility \u201cwith rigor and urgency\u201d and requested ongoing updates from the National Mining Agency (ANM) on its oversight and related actions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-column content-text active-extra-styles \" data-block-type=\"unstyled\" data-block-weight=\"29\" data-block-id=\"7\">\n<p class=\" content-text__container \" data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">The MME had already sent a letter to the regulatory agency on Sunday (25), after a rainwater overflow carrying sediments was reported at Vale\u2019s F\u00e1brica mine in Ouro Preto.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-column content-text active-extra-styles \" data-block-type=\"unstyled\" data-block-weight=\"30\" data-block-id=\"8\">\n<p class=\" content-text__container \" data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">Heavy rainfall in Minas Gerais caused overflows at both the F\u00e1brica and Viga mines. The incident at the Viga site in Congonhas flooded areas belonging to neighboring CSN Minera\u00e7\u00e3o.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-column content-text active-extra-styles \" data-block-type=\"unstyled\" data-block-weight=\"36\" data-block-id=\"9\">\n<p class=\" content-text__container \" data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">Sources told Valor that rainwater at the mines is typically drained from the pits into special drainage systems. However, the recent volume of rain was so intense that it overwhelmed the system, leading to the overflow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-column content-text active-extra-styles \" data-block-type=\"unstyled\" data-block-weight=\"39\" data-block-id=\"10\">\n<p class=\" content-text__container \" data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">Vale said on Monday afternoon that the overflows were contained without injuries or impact on nearby communities. The company emphasized that neither incident involved any of its tailings dams in the region, all of which remain stable and safe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-column content-text active-extra-styles \" data-block-type=\"unstyled\" data-block-weight=\"47\" data-block-id=\"11\">\n<p class=\" content-text__container \" data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">\u201cVale regularly carries out preventive inspection and maintenance of its structures, which are safe. These procedures are reinforced during the rainy season. The causes of the two overflows are being investigated, and the lessons learned will be immediately incorporated into the company\u2019s rain response plans,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-column content-text active-extra-styles \" data-block-type=\"unstyled\" data-block-weight=\"39\" data-block-id=\"12\">\n<p class=\" content-text__container \" data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">Also on Monday, ANM said its technical teams are monitoring the condition of the sites and the company\u2019s response. The agency noted that responsibility investigations are part of its regulatory process, which may include sanctions if violations are found.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-column content-text active-extra-styles \" data-block-type=\"unstyled\" data-block-weight=\"65\" data-block-id=\"14\">\n<p class=\" content-text__container \" data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">The regulator added that there was no rupture, collapse, or structural damage to dams or waste piles in either incident. \u201cBoth situations are being monitored by technical teams, with inspections of the functioning conditions of the involved structures and the measures adopted by the company. The investigation of responsibilities is part of the regulatory process, which includes sanctions where appropriate, under current legislation,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-track-category=\"multicontent\" data-track-action=\"ultimo chunk conteudo\" data-track-noninteraction=\"false\" data-track-scroll=\"view\">\n<div class=\"mc-column content-text active-extra-styles \" data-block-type=\"unstyled\" data-block-weight=\"47\" data-block-id=\"15\">\n<p class=\" content-text__container \" data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">The incidents come just ahead of Vale\u2019s scheduled release of its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 production report on Tuesday (27). In a note to clients, brokerage firm Ativa Corretora said the events \u201crekindle concerns\u201d about the company\u2019s operational safety. Vale shares ended Monday down 2.29%, at R$83.07.<\/p>\n<p data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">* By\u00a0Victor Menezes,\u00a0Marlla Sabino,\u00a0Rafael Rosas\u00a0and\u00a0Kariny Leal\u00a0\u2014 S\u00e3o Paulo, Bras\u00edlia, Rio de Janeiro<\/p>\n<p data-track-category=\"Link no Texto\" data-track-links=\"\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Article links\">Source: Valor International<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/valorinternational.globo.com\/<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Suspension targets F\u00e1brica and Viga units after heavy rains in Congonhas raise safety concerns &nbsp; &nbsp; 01\/29\/2026\u00a0 The city government of Congonhas, in the state of Minas Gerais, has suspended the operating permits for Vale\u2019s F\u00e1brica and Viga units following recent rainwater overflows. The municipality also demanded that the mining company implement emergency environmental control, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8106],"tags":[26734,26733],"class_list":["post-97366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-murray-news","tag-after-water-overflows","tag-vale-mining"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Minas Gerais city halts Vale mining permits after water overflows - Murray Advogados<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/murray.adv.br\/en\/minas-gerais-city-halts-vale-mining-permits-after-water-overflows\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Minas Gerais city halts Vale mining permits after water overflows - Murray Advogados\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Suspension targets F\u00e1brica and Viga units after heavy rains in Congonhas raise safety concerns &nbsp; &nbsp; 01\/29\/2026\u00a0 The city government of Congonhas, in the state of Minas Gerais, has suspended the operating permits for Vale\u2019s F\u00e1brica and Viga units following recent rainwater overflows. 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