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Selected Works of C. Eduardo Siqueira
Article
Mining Disasters in Brazil.pdf
Case Studies in the Environment,\ (2021)
  • Paola P.B. Primo, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo
  • Michele N Antunes, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo
  • Mariele P Ramos, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo
  • Ana Rosa Linde Arias, University of Massachusetts Boston
  • Adauto Emmerich, Federal University of Espí
  • Carlos Eduardo Siqueira
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Abstract
The ruptures of two iron ore dams in two municipalities of southeastern Brazil have caused
immeasurable economic, social, and environmental damages. This case report describes the ruptures 
of Mariana dam in 2015 and the Brumadinho dam in 2019, as well as their causes and consequences. 
The companies responsible for managing the dams are Mineradora Samarco and Vale S.A. We analyze the 
“Risk and Disaster Communication” activities implemented by those companies. Moreover, it was 
difficult to access information about the affected communities, as the responsible companies failed 
to communicate throughout the incidents. As a result of this lack of communication and searching 
for answers and strategies to ensure a space capable of expanding access to information in an 
updated and reliable way for the population of the affected territories, we developed the Disaster 
Information Monitoring System (SIGDesastre). We think that by mapping communication devices and 
concentrating them in a virtual space it is possible to elicit nonhegemonic discourse, creating new 
knowledge and contributing to improvements in the risk communication process.


Keywords
  • risk communication,
  • disaster
Disciplines
Publication Date
2021
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1525/cse.2021.1242438
Citation Information
Mining Disasters in Brazil: A Case Study of Dam Ruptures in Mariana and Brumadinho