World

Brazilian Mining Company Evacuates Communities Following Dam Break

Two Brazilian companies issued evacuation orders Friday as a precautionary measure after a dam collapse killed hundreds of people two weeks ago.

Brazilian Mining Company Evacuates Communities Following Dam Break
Getty Images

Vale, a mining company in Brazil, is evacuating hundreds of people from their homes as a precautionary measure after a dam collapse killed hundreds of people last month.

Brazil's National Mining Agency ordered the evacuation Friday for about 500 people living in three small communities near the Sul Superior tailings dam at the Vale-owned Gongo Soco mine near Belo Horizonte over fears that the dam isn't stable. 

The evacuations come two weeks after a dam collapsed at a different Vale mine in the same area, killing an estimated 300 people. 

Authorities ordered the evacuations after a consulting firm, denied the dam a certificate saying it was stable.

Vale isn't the only company taking precautionary measures. ArcelorMittal, a steel production company in Brazil, also issued an evacuation Friday for 200 people living downstream from a dam it says might not be safe.