Aspectos legais das pilhas de estéril e rejeito na mineração

Abstract

Mining, an essential activity for obtaining raw materials, has evolved significantly over the centuries. With the development of new technologies, more efficient extraction and processing methods have been implemented. However, the management of discarded materials, such as tailings and waste rock, remains a contemporary challenge. The severe accidents involving tailings dams, such as those in Fundão (Mariana, 2015) and Brumadinho (2019), have highlighted the need for stricter regulations for the maintenance of these structures. Despite improvements in dam laws, there is still a lack of specific and updated standards for other methods of tailings and waste rock disposal, such as tailings and waste rock piles. These methods were questioned after a landslide in Barão de Cocais (Minas Gerais, 2019), due to concerns about the safety of nearby structures. The safety of these structures is crucial to minimize risks and prevent future accidents. This article analyzes the existing standards for tailings and waste rock piles, correlating them with the standards for dams, with the aim of demonstrating the lack of regulation in the Brazilian scenario and clarifying to the reader the need to update such standards.