Strengths and Weaknesses of a Hybrid Post-disaster Management Approach: the Doce River (Brazil) Mine-Tailing Dam Burst

Ana T. Lima*, Felipe A. Bastos, Fernando Jakes Teubner, Renato R. Neto, Andrew Cooper, Gilberto F. Barroso

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

    318 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Mine-tailing dam bursts occur frequently with attendant implications for the environment and human populations. Institutional preparedness for such events plays an important role in their lasting impact. This study analyzes the stakeholder engagement in the new governance framework created to recover the Doce River ecosystem following the 2015 disaster, where 34 million m3 of tailings were released, killing 19 people and causing massive impacts on riverine life. Following the disaster, poorly conceived political and management decisions impeded and continue to impede the progress of ecosystem recovery. The post-event management structure shows a centralized and poorly diverse stakeholder pool. We conclude that poor governance structure, and weak law enforcement, are among the main reasons preventing the Doce River post-disaster watershed recovery. A watershed vulnerability analysis combining dam stability and socioeconomic data, concluded that low ratings of socioeconomic performance substantially increase basin vulnerability. We recommend that the watershed committee should be fully involved in the implementation of the program and take a central role so that the most vulnerable communities (including indigenous people) take ownership of ecosystem recovery.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalEnvironmental Management
    Volume65
    Issue number6
    Pages (from-to)711-724
    ISSN0364-152X
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2020

    Keywords

    • Tailing pond
    • Impoundment failure
    • Doce River
    • Mining industry
    • Environmental policy and governance

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Strengths and Weaknesses of a Hybrid Post-disaster Management Approach: the Doce River (Brazil) Mine-Tailing Dam Burst'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this