We, at the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS), stand in solidarity with the families of the victims of Brumadinho and stand shoulder to shoulder with all the members of society that can help to ensure that tragedies like this never happen again. It is important at this time to acknowledge the work of firefighters, police officers, first responders and volunteers who, in precarious conditions, have been trying to alleviate the tragedy and provide assistance to those affected.
In Brazil and around the world, we know that there is a direct dependence on the use of minerals in the production chain of almost everything around us, which generates countless economic benefits. However, this industry must spare no effort to reach a new level of risk and impact management, which involves greater investment in continuous improvement of existing processes and, above all, in new technologies that will require greater and unavoidable investments from companies. The decision is technical, economic and, above all, human and social.
It is imperative that all appropriate measures are taken urgently to resolve the situation of hundreds of dams in conditions similar to those of Mariana and Brumadinho, with inspections of documentation and audits carried out.
In this context, CEBDS understands that it is important:
a) Vale will make every effort, in the short, medium and long term – human, financial, logistical, communication – to help all direct and indirect victims of the Brumadinho tragedy;
b) That all social, environmental and economic impacts of the collapse of the Córrego do Feijão dam be mapped as quickly, consistently and multilaterally as possible;
c) That all competent authorities investigate, with all due rigor, the direct and indirect responsibilities for what happened;
d) Depending on the responsibilities and impacts identified, forms of reparation and compensation must be defined quickly.
e) That a broad review of legislation be carried out with a view to strengthening the sector's technical and legal processes.
f) In order to prevent new tragedies from occurring, it is essential that all spheres of federal, state and municipal governments, organized civil society and academia make efforts to seek socio-environmental solutions.
Our thoughts here at CEBDS are with the people suffering in Brumadinho, and we hope that the losses are mitigated as much as possible and as quickly as possible, as well as the damage to fauna and flora.
CEBDS will continue to closely monitor the case, seeking, within its sphere of action, the best way to contribute to ensuring that similar incidents never happen again.
