Brazilian Civil Court halts Anglo American Dam expansion

The civil court in Minas Gerais has suspended the license for the second expansion of the Anglo American dam at the Conceicão do Mato Dentro iron ore complex.

The proposed expansion will increase the height of the dam from 700 to 725 meters above sea level, which will allow mining to continue for 40 years after 2031.

The court's precautionary measures require the fulfillment of all legal requirements and the relocation of families living in the risk area before any further progress can take place. In particular, the community of San Jose dos Arrudas, located in the designated risk area, should be moved to a safe location.

This second expansion of the dam is governed by a recent legislative framework designed to prevent the recurrence of human and environmental disasters such as those in Mariana and Brumadinho.