Vale (NYSE: VALE) announced on Thursday it has enlarged the security area around the Doutor dam, at the Timbopeba mine in the Mariana Complex, Minas Gerais.
The company said the move is part of an agreement with Brazilian prosecutors, and will involve the relocation of 75 families, residing in communities of Antônio Pereira and Vila Antônio Pereira.
Since February 2020, 73 families had already been relocated when the Doutor dam had risen to emergency level 2.
In 2015, the collapse of the Fundão Dam at Mariana complex killed 19 people and caused lasting environmental damage. The facility was run by Samarco, jointly owned by a BHP and Vale.
Earlier this week, the Fire Brigade of Minas Gerais announced it will resume on August 27th the search for still missing bodies of 11 victims of the dam collapse in Brumadinho last year, which killed 270 people.
Work was halted on March 21 due to pandemic protocols. The resumed operation will include 60 military personnel, who will continue to search the perimeter of the site of the disaster.