Brazilian fisherman Jose Geraldo dos Santos uses a long pole to push his boat down the reddish-brown Paraopeba River, taking care not to splash himself with water he says is toxic.&nbsp;

Two months after an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-brazil-dam-disaster-rises-to-134-199-still-missing-195188">upstream tailings dam owned by mining giant Vale burst</a>, spewing millions of tons of minerals-laced sludge across the countryside, the 67-year-old says the river is too polluted for fishing or even for his animals to drink.&nbsp;

So contaminated is the tributary to the Sao Francisco River -- the second longest in Brazil -- says dos Santos, that he has been advised to not even "step in the mud."

"The researchers who came here said it will take eight to 10 years (for the river to recover)," says dos Santos, who lives about 45 kilometers (28 miles) from the village of Brumadinho in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, which was engulfed by the waste unleashed by the January 25 dam rupture.&nbsp;

Emergency crews continue the slow process of picking through the mud looking for bodies -- at least 210 people were killed and 96 are missing.

In the meantime, Vale, government agencies and environmental groups are still assessing the impact of one of Brazil's worst industrial disasters on water quality downstream.&nbsp;

Some of the findings differ dramatically. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"It's so dense and thick that it cannot be called water," says Malu Ribeiro of SOS Mata Atlantica Foundation in a video released by the non-government organization to highlight the damage to the Paraopeba.

Before the dam collapsed the water was "crystal clear, full of fish," says Ribeiro.

"I've never seen that colour."

'Serious pollutants'

The disaster was the second involving Vale in three years in the mineral-rich region. The company has tried to contain the contamination by installing barriers to stop poisonous material reaching the Sao Francisco, hundreds of kilometres downstream.

So far, Vale says, its water quality analysis shows toxicity levels near the dam are "below the legal limits for mining tailings" and are "not harmful to health."

And its technicians predict that sludge from the dam would "not reach the Sao Francisco," Vale said in a statement Friday.&nbsp;

But SOS Mata Atlantica's latest data show high levels of toxic waste are already present in the key waterway and that the source is the dam at Brumadinho.

Various samples taken from the upper reaches earlier this month show concentrations of copper, iron, manganese and chromium that exceed the maximum limits allowed by Brazilian law.

"These are serious pollutants," says Romilda Roncatti of SOS Mata Atlantica.

But Brazilian authorities say the tailings have not spread more than one kilometre downstream and blame the increased turbidity on heavy rain.

"It's normal at this time of year to find high levels of some elements like iron or manganese -- these two elements always have higher concentrations during floods," says Eduardo Viglio of the Geological Survey of Brazil, which is tasked with collecting data on minerals and water resources in the country.

The government agency's own testing shows oxygen and acidity readings are also "normal," he adds.&nbsp;

That is cold comfort for dos Santos, who says increased pollution in the Paraopeba has deprived him of an income from fishing.

"The people who handle water treatment have said we can't use the water," he says.

"This place is no use to me."

Brazilian fisherman Jose Geraldo dos Santos uses a long pole to push his boat down the reddish-brown Paraopeba River, taking care not to splash himself with water he says is toxic.

Brazilian fisherman Jose Geraldo dos Santos uses a long pole to push his boat down the reddish-brown Paraopeba River, taking care not to splash himself with water he says is toxic. Two months after an upstream tailings dam owned by mining giant Vale burst, spewing millions of tons of minerals-laced sludge across the countryside, the 67-year-old says the river is too polluted for fishing or even for his animals to drink. So contaminated is the tributary to the Sao Francisco River -- the second longest in Brazil -- says dos Santos, that he has been advised to not even "step in the mud." "The researchers who came here said it will take eight to 10 years (for the river to recover)," says dos Santos, who lives about 45 kilometers (28 miles) from the village of Brumadinho in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, which was engulfed by the waste unleashed by the January 25 dam rupture. Emergency crews continue the slow process of picking through the mud looking for bodies -- at least 210 people were killed and 96 are missing. In the meantime, Vale, government agencies and environmental groups are still assessing the impact of one of Brazil's worst industrial disasters on water quality downstream. Some of the findings differ dramatically. "It's so dense and thick that it cannot be called water," says Malu Ribeiro of SOS Mata Atlantica Foundation in a video released by the non-government organization to highlight the damage to the Paraopeba. Before the dam collapsed the water was "crystal clear, full of fish," says Ribeiro. "I've never seen that colour." 'Serious pollutants' The disaster was the second involving Vale in three years in the mineral-rich region. The company has tried to contain the contamination by installing barriers to stop poisonous material reaching the Sao Francisco, hundreds of kilometres downstream. So far, Vale says, its water quality analysis shows toxicity levels near the dam are "below the legal limits for mining tailings" and are "not harmful to health." And its technicians predict that sludge from the dam would "not reach the Sao Francisco," Vale said in a statement Friday. But SOS Mata Atlantica's latest data show high levels of toxic waste are already present in the key waterway and that the source is the dam at Brumadinho. Various samples taken from the upper reaches earlier this month show concentrations of copper, iron, manganese and chromium that exceed the maximum limits allowed by Brazilian law. "These are serious pollutants," says Romilda Roncatti of SOS Mata Atlantica. But Brazilian authorities say the tailings have not spread more than one kilometre downstream and blame the increased turbidity on heavy rain. "It's normal at this time of year to find high levels of some elements like iron or manganese -- these two elements always have higher concentrations during floods," says Eduardo Viglio of the Geological Survey of Brazil, which is tasked with collecting data on minerals and water resources in the country. The government agency's own testing shows oxygen and acidity readings are also "normal," he adds. That is cold comfort for dos Santos, who says increased pollution in the Paraopeba has deprived him of an income from fishing. "The people who handle water treatment have said we can't use the water," he says. "This place is no use to me."

Can't be called water': Brazil marks two months since dam disaster

Brazilian authorities ordered Vale SA to evacuate around 500 people from a dam area at its Gongo Soco mine in the state of Minas Gerais on Friday as a preventive measure, the mining company said.

On January&nbsp;25, a mine operated by Vale collapsed in the town of Brumadinho in the same state, killing an estimated 300 people in Brazil's deadliest mining disaster ever.

In a separate development on Friday, inhabitants of a city close to another dam in Minas Gerais state, operated by Arcelor Mittal, were also evacuated, firefighters said but did not give details or say why the dam was at risk.

Vale said in a statement that the Brazilian mining agency ordered the evacuation at the dam at Gongo Soco after engineering consultancy Walm said a certificate guaranteeing stability conditions had not been issued for the dam.

Vale said it has intensified inspections in the area and was installing equipment to detect vibrations and bringing in international consultants to assess the situation.

As a security measure, 500 inhabitants of the city of Barão dos Cocais, where the dam is situated, were taken to a gymnasium nearby, the municipality said on its Facebook page.

Also on Friday, authorities closed a port terminal operated by Vale in Vitoria, in the southeastern state of Espirito Santo, due to pollution issues.

The municipality of Vitoria said on Thursday that it had fined the miner 35 million reais ($9.5 million) for throwing mining residues in the sea. Vale said in a statement that it would take appropriate measures but added that recent inspections by local authorities had not detected problems.

In the wake of the Brumadinho mining disaster, the state of Minas Gerais cancelled Vale's license to operate another dam and a mine in the state, as the company has come under intense public pressure following the accident.

On Tuesday Vale declared force majeure on some iron ore contracts after a court-ordered halt to a mine responsible for nearly 9 percent of its output following the disaster.

&nbsp;

Brazilian authorities ordered Vale SA to evacuate around 500 people from a dam area at its Gongo Soco mine in the state of Minas Gerais on Friday as a preventive measure, the mining company said.

Brazilian authorities ordered Vale SA to evacuate around 500 people from a dam area at its Gongo Soco mine in the state of Minas Gerais on Friday as a preventive measure, the mining company said. On January 25, a mine operated by Vale collapsed in the town of Brumadinho in the same state, killing an estimated 300 people in Brazil's deadliest mining disaster ever. In a separate development on Friday, inhabitants of a city close to another dam in Minas Gerais state, operated by Arcelor Mittal, were also evacuated, firefighters said but did not give details or say why the dam was at risk. Vale said in a statement that the Brazilian mining agency ordered the evacuation at the dam at Gongo Soco after engineering consultancy Walm said a certificate guaranteeing stability conditions had not been issued for the dam. Vale said it has intensified inspections in the area and was installing equipment to detect vibrations and bringing in international consultants to assess the situation. As a security measure, 500 inhabitants of the city of Barão dos Cocais, where the dam is situated, were taken to a gymnasium nearby, the municipality said on its Facebook page. Also on Friday, authorities closed a port terminal operated by Vale in Vitoria, in the southeastern state of Espirito Santo, due to pollution issues. The municipality of Vitoria said on Thursday that it had fined the miner 35 million reais ($9.5 million) for throwing mining residues in the sea. Vale said in a statement that it would take appropriate measures but added that recent inspections by local authorities had not detected problems. In the wake of the Brumadinho mining disaster, the state of Minas Gerais cancelled Vale's license to operate another dam and a mine in the state, as the company has come under intense public pressure following the accident. On Tuesday Vale declared force majeure on some iron ore contracts after a court-ordered halt to a mine responsible for nearly 9 percent of its output following the disaster.

Brazil's Vale evacuates 500 people from dam area in preventive measure

Three employees of Brazilian miner Vale SA and two other engineers working on behalf of the company were arrested on Tuesday, Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo state prosecutors said.

In a statement on Twitter, Vale said it was cooperating with investigators, who are probing a mining disaster that is likely to leave a death toll of more than 300 people. The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brazilian-despair-turns-to-anger-as-toll-from-vale-dam-disaster-hits-60-193517"> tragedy has enraged many in Brazil</a> and raised fresh questions about Vale's commitment to safety after a similar disaster at mine it joint-owned just over three years ago.

Two of Vale's senior managers at the Corrego do Feijao mine - where a tailings dam burst last Friday, drowning the nearby town of Brumadinho in mining waste - were among those arrested, according to the local judge's decision, seen by Reuters. The job of the third Vale employee was not immediately clear.

Two other engineers were arrested in Sao Paulo, state prosecutors there said.

Minas Gerais investigators issued a total of five arrest warrants and seven search warrants, on suspicion of murder, falsification of documents and environmental crimes, the judge's decision showed.

Three employees of Brazilian miner Vale SA and two other engineers working on behalf of the company were arrested on Tuesday, Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo state prosecutors said.

Three employees of Brazilian miner Vale SA and two other engineers working on behalf of the company were arrested on Tuesday, Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo state prosecutors said. In a statement on Twitter, Vale said it was cooperating with investigators, who are probing a mining disaster that is likely to leave a death toll of more than 300 people. The tragedy has enraged many in Brazil and raised fresh questions about Vale's commitment to safety after a similar disaster at mine it joint-owned just over three years ago. Two of Vale's senior managers at the Corrego do Feijao mine - where a tailings dam burst last Friday, drowning the nearby town of Brumadinho in mining waste - were among those arrested, according to the local judge's decision, seen by Reuters. The job of the third Vale employee was not immediately clear. Two other engineers were arrested in Sao Paulo, state prosecutors there said. Minas Gerais investigators issued a total of five arrest warrants and seven search warrants, on suspicion of murder, falsification of documents and environmental crimes, the judge's decision showed.

Five arrested, including three Vale staff after Brazil dam disaster

When Fabio Schvartsman took the reins of Vale SA in 2017, he suggested a motto for the world's largest iron miner, turning the page on a tailings <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/dam-collapses-in-brazil-several-feared-dead-192820">dam disaster that hit a small Brazilian town</a> two years before: "Mariana, never again."

That and many of Schvartsman's other big promises look destined for the scrap heap.

Four years later and some 100 km (60 miles) from Mariana, a breached Vale tailings dam on Friday unleashed a torrent of mud on another small Brazilian community, Brumadinho,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-resumes-search-for-missing-after-dam-collapse-ends-evacuation-193244">leaving hundreds missing and presumed dead</a>.

While the company's focus so far has been on the human tragedy, analysts and shareholders have little doubt that Vale cannot continue on the track its CEO set.

Schvartsman, 63, who said recently he would stay on through 2020 after his current term expires in May, designed Vale's strategy around spending more than $10 billion in annual free cash flow as China gobbled up its high-grade iron ore.

Offering generous dividends, reinvesting in money-losing divisions and searching for mid-sized acquisitions – many of those plans may have to be abandoned as Vale braces for lawsuits that could grow into the tens of billions of dollars.

One executive at a pension fund that holds Vale shares, who asked for anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said it would be hard to justify big shareholder payouts in coming quarters, adding that a full review of Vale's governance was needed.

Indeed, the company said in a late Sunday filing that it was suspending its planned shareholder dividends, share buybacks, and executive bonuses because of the disaster.

Vale said in a statement that it was focused on helping the disaster victims. During a Sunday visit to the rescue efforts, Schvartsman pledged to renew Vale's focus on safety, going "above and beyond any national or international standards."

"We will create a cushion of safety far superior to what we have today to guarantee this never happens again," he said.

One of Vale's top shareholders, public-sector pension fund Caixa de Previdencia, known as Previ, on Saturday took the unusual step of issuing a statement saying it will demand a thorough investigation of the accident and will ensure the company helps the families and communities affected.

The fund did not reply to an additional request for comment. Another major shareholder, Bradespar SA, the investment company of Brazilian lender Banco Bradesco SA, declined to comment.

PLUNGING SHARES

US-listed Vale shares tumbled 8 per cent on Friday after the disaster. Brazilian markets were closed for a holiday.

On Saturday, rating agency Standard &amp; Poor's put Vale's rating on credit watch negative, warning that it could cut the BBB- rating by several notches depending on fines and the possible loss of an operating license in the affected area.

Three court orders over the weekend have already frozen 11 billion reais ($2.9 billion) of Vale assets pending damages.

In a statement on Sunday, Vale said it agreed to deposit 1 billion reais, but argued that the court orders freezing the additional 10 billion reais were counterproductive because they could block resources need for relief support.

Vale had 24 billion reais of cash and equivalents on hand at the end of September.

Mining analysts at Jefferies said the disaster was "likely to be an overhang on the Vale share price for an extended period" in a note cutting their price target more than 20 per cent and downgrading the stock from Buy to Hold.

"The overall impact of the dam failure is nearly impossible to quantify for now," wrote the analysts led by Christopher LaFemina. "Stringent safety inspections could affect production from other mines in Brazil as well."

Estimating the cost of a disaster on this scale is a challenge for analysts, who still steer clear of putting a final price on the 2015 dam collapse involving Samarco Mineracao SA, a joint venture between Vale and BHP Group.

As part of an agreement to settle a lawsuit, Vale and BHP committed to spending 20 billion reais on a foundation set up in Mariana to assist victims and recover the local ecosystem. The Renova Foundation spent 2 billion reais in 2018 and expects to spend 11.3 billion reais through 2030, the companies said in a statement.

A federal prosecutor told Reuters in an interview on Saturday that Friday's disaster could upend talks to settle a far bigger Samarco lawsuit seeking 155 billion reais.

The renewed legal risks are also likely to delay talks with Samarco creditors that had been based on hopes it could reopen operations soon and start making debt payments. One person involved in the talks said they might now be suspended.

EXPANSION IN DOUBT

It is unclear if Schvartsman will be able to pour fresh resources into expanding operations as planned.

Vale laid out plans in December to pump $500 million into its struggling New Caledonia nickel mine after failing to sell it or find a partner, hoping to ride out a tumble in prices and cash in eventually on an expected surge in electric vehicle sales.

The miner has also been pursuing mid-sized acquisitions in its core iron ore business, after deciding not to pursue blockbuster deals with the surging cash flow provided by rising iron ore prices last year.

In December, Vale announced the acquisition of iron miner Ferrous Resources Ltd from its controlling shareholder Icahn Enterprises for $550 million. The deal is expected to close this year.

($1 = 3.7695 reais) 
&nbsp;

When Fabio Schvartsman took the reins of Vale SA in 2017, he suggested a motto for the world's largest iron miner, turning the page on a tailings dam disaster that hit a small Brazilian town two years before: "Mariana, never again.

When Fabio Schvartsman took the reins of Vale SA in 2017, he suggested a motto for the world's largest iron miner, turning the page on a tailings dam disaster that hit a small Brazilian town two years before: "Mariana, never again." That and many of Schvartsman's other big promises look destined for the scrap heap. Four years later and some 100 km (60 miles) from Mariana, a breached Vale tailings dam on Friday unleashed a torrent of mud on another small Brazilian community, Brumadinho, leaving hundreds missing and presumed dead. While the company's focus so far has been on the human tragedy, analysts and shareholders have little doubt that Vale cannot continue on the track its CEO set. Schvartsman, 63, who said recently he would stay on through 2020 after his current term expires in May, designed Vale's strategy around spending more than $10 billion in annual free cash flow as China gobbled up its high-grade iron ore. Offering generous dividends, reinvesting in money-losing divisions and searching for mid-sized acquisitions – many of those plans may have to be abandoned as Vale braces for lawsuits that could grow into the tens of billions of dollars. One executive at a pension fund that holds Vale shares, who asked for anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said it would be hard to justify big shareholder payouts in coming quarters, adding that a full review of Vale's governance was needed. Indeed, the company said in a late Sunday filing that it was suspending its planned shareholder dividends, share buybacks, and executive bonuses because of the disaster. Vale said in a statement that it was focused on helping the disaster victims. During a Sunday visit to the rescue efforts, Schvartsman pledged to renew Vale's focus on safety, going "above and beyond any national or international standards." "We will create a cushion of safety far superior to what we have today to guarantee this never happens again," he said. One of Vale's top shareholders, public-sector pension fund Caixa de Previdencia, known as Previ, on Saturday took the unusual step of issuing a statement saying it will demand a thorough investigation of the accident and will ensure the company helps the families and communities affected. The fund did not reply to an additional request for comment. Another major shareholder, Bradespar SA, the investment company of Brazilian lender Banco Bradesco SA, declined to comment. PLUNGING SHARES US-listed Vale shares tumbled 8 per cent on Friday after the disaster. Brazilian markets were closed for a holiday. On Saturday, rating agency Standard & Poor's put Vale's rating on credit watch negative, warning that it could cut the BBB- rating by several notches depending on fines and the possible loss of an operating license in the affected area. Three court orders over the weekend have already frozen 11 billion reais ($2.9 billion) of Vale assets pending damages. In a statement on Sunday, Vale said it agreed to deposit 1 billion reais, but argued that the court orders freezing the additional 10 billion reais were counterproductive because they could block resources need for relief support. Vale had 24 billion reais of cash and equivalents on hand at the end of September. Mining analysts at Jefferies said the disaster was "likely to be an overhang on the Vale share price for an extended period" in a note cutting their price target more than 20 per cent and downgrading the stock from Buy to Hold. "The overall impact of the dam failure is nearly impossible to quantify for now," wrote the analysts led by Christopher LaFemina. "Stringent safety inspections could affect production from other mines in Brazil as well." Estimating the cost of a disaster on this scale is a challenge for analysts, who still steer clear of putting a final price on the 2015 dam collapse involving Samarco Mineracao SA, a joint venture between Vale and BHP Group. As part of an agreement to settle a lawsuit, Vale and BHP committed to spending 20 billion reais on a foundation set up in Mariana to assist victims and recover the local ecosystem. The Renova Foundation spent 2 billion reais in 2018 and expects to spend 11.3 billion reais through 2030, the companies said in a statement. A federal prosecutor told Reuters in an interview on Saturday that Friday's disaster could upend talks to settle a far bigger Samarco lawsuit seeking 155 billion reais. The renewed legal risks are also likely to delay talks with Samarco creditors that had been based on hopes it could reopen operations soon and start making debt payments. One person involved in the talks said they might now be suspended. EXPANSION IN DOUBT It is unclear if Schvartsman will be able to pour fresh resources into expanding operations as planned. Vale laid out plans in December to pump $500 million into its struggling New Caledonia nickel mine after failing to sell it or find a partner, hoping to ride out a tumble in prices and cash in eventually on an expected surge in electric vehicle sales. The miner has also been pursuing mid-sized acquisitions in its core iron ore business, after deciding not to pursue blockbuster deals with the surging cash flow provided by rising iron ore prices last year. In December, Vale announced the acquisition of iron miner Ferrous Resources Ltd from its controlling shareholder Icahn Enterprises for $550 million. The deal is expected to close this year. ($1 = 3.7695 reais)

Brazil dam burst puts Vale CEO, deals and dividends under scrutiny

President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday flew over the disaster area after the death toll grew to 34 following a dam burst at an iron ore mine owned by Vale SA.

Brazilian firefighters said on Saturday that at least 34 people were killed, as rescuers continued to search for hundreds still missing.

The Minas Gerais state fire department also said 23 people have been hospitalized after the dam released a torrent of mud on Friday, leaving a roughly 150-meter-wide (500-foot-wide) wake of destruction.

In an earlier statement, the department had said 300 people were still missing and 46 had been found alive, a figure that it did not update in its latest disclosure.

Firefighters focused their hopes for finding survivors on a bus, a train, mining offices and nearby homes that were buried on Friday in mud after the dam break at Vale's Corrego do Feijao facility in Minas Gerais state.

Frantic family members of the missing crowded into a warehouse set up by Vale for those affected, next to a stretch of river now demolished by the sludge. More than a dozen helicopters helping to survey the area took off and landed from a soccer field nearby.

"The federal government should help us in the sense of bringing some technology from the outside to help us recover the bodies that are buried, because it is very difficult to locate a body five and 10 meters deep and Israel already offered to do that," Romeu Zema, governor of Minas Gerais, told local media.

A Brazilian judge in the state of Minas Gerais on Saturday froze 5 billion reais ($1.33 billion) in the accounts of miner Vale SA to pay for damages caused by a dam burst, prosecutors said.

President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday flew over the disaster area after the death toll grew to 34 following a dam burst at an iron ore mine owned by Vale SA. Brazilian firefighters said on Saturday that at least 34 people were killed, as rescuers continued to search for hundreds still missing.

President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday flew over the disaster area after the death toll grew to 34 following a dam burst at an iron ore mine owned by Vale SA. Brazilian firefighters said on Saturday that at least 34 people were killed, as rescuers continued to search for hundreds still missing. The Minas Gerais state fire department also said 23 people have been hospitalized after the dam released a torrent of mud on Friday, leaving a roughly 150-meter-wide (500-foot-wide) wake of destruction. In an earlier statement, the department had said 300 people were still missing and 46 had been found alive, a figure that it did not update in its latest disclosure. Firefighters focused their hopes for finding survivors on a bus, a train, mining offices and nearby homes that were buried on Friday in mud after the dam break at Vale's Corrego do Feijao facility in Minas Gerais state. Frantic family members of the missing crowded into a warehouse set up by Vale for those affected, next to a stretch of river now demolished by the sludge. More than a dozen helicopters helping to survey the area took off and landed from a soccer field nearby. "The federal government should help us in the sense of bringing some technology from the outside to help us recover the bodies that are buried, because it is very difficult to locate a body five and 10 meters deep and Israel already offered to do that," Romeu Zema, governor of Minas Gerais, told local media. A Brazilian judge in the state of Minas Gerais on Saturday froze 5 billion reais ($1.33 billion) in the accounts of miner Vale SA to pay for damages caused by a dam burst, prosecutors said.

Brazilian president Bolsonaro tours area as death toll from dam disaster rises to 34

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