Recent Catastrophe in Brazil Highlights Need for Increased Safety Protocols in the Global Mining Industry

The Brazilian mining industry has been facing recent concerns that their overall safety protocols are not up to international standards. These concerns follow hard on the heels of a major mining disaster.

In early November, a dam collapse at the Samarco iron ore mine in the village of Paracatu de Baixo left 8-9 people dead, 19-21 missing, and hundreds of local residents inconvenienced or displaced by the massive mudslide that buried their village.

According to the Vancouver Sun, this catastrophe, seen in light of the recent Mount Polley mine failure in Canada, increases concerns that unless changes are made, mining failures will continue to increase.

A research report by the U.S.-based Center for Science in Public Participation and Bowker Associates released this summer concluded the global rate of serious tailings dam failures was increasing. According to their report, 33 of 67 serious tailings dam failures in the last 70 years took place in the past 20 years.

Amidst calls for changes to safety protocols, however, Brazilian locals are careful to point out that since 80% of their local revenue is generated through the mine, they have no desire to see the mine close.

Herein lies the tightrope that mine officials and legislators must walk as they navigate potential changes made in wake of the disaster. Although everyone's desire is to see the work continue, they do not want to rush to make changes that could mean job losses for the men, women, and families who rely on the mine for their livelihood.

Of course, this situation plays out around the world in the wake of any mining disaster. It's our hope to see positive outcomes in the wake of tragedy.

Have an opinion about potential changes to global safety standards in mining? Be sure to chime in via the comments.

Remember that we carry a full line of OTR tires for all your mining needs. We routinely ship OTR tires to mines throughout Brazil and the rest of South America. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.

Image credit: The Guardian

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