Brazil’s mining regulator has ordered Vale SA to suspend activity at its Fabrica and Vargem Grande complexes, the iron ore miner said late on Wednesday, as authorities crack down after last month’s fatal dam break.
In a statement, Vale said the ANM mining regulator ordered the suspension in light of the possible failure of five dams at the mining sites in the interior state of Minas Gerais. In late January, a tailings dam at Vale’s Corrego do Feijao mine failed in the same state, likely killing more than 300 people.