Catastrophic Failure
It all started on November 5, 2015, when a dam near an iron mine in Brazil collapsed. Then a river of toxic mud spewed out; a pile of mud and mining waste claimed a dozen lives, injured many more, and caused widespread environmental damage. A new ABC Australia report, Catastrophic Failure, examines the ominous chain of events that sparked and played out the disaster.
The flooding originated at the Fundao tailings dam, which contains more than 50 million meters of waste from mines operated by nearby corporate giants BHP Billiton and Vale. After rolling over and destroying every house and building in its path, it emptied into the Rio Dosi River, effectively destroying all fish and seriously polluting the area’s water supply. From there, the mud eventually seeped into the Atlantic Ocean.
The film introduces us to the survivors of the flood, many of whom were swept away by its brutality. They carry the burden of their wounds, haunting memories of chaos and danger, and their inability to save loved ones they have lost. The search for missing persons continues, with hundreds of residents still homeless. Paradoxically, the mine is one of the largest employers in the region, so its closure has created additional economic instability for an already devastated population.
Not only do they have to fight for their own survival, but they are also responsible for the largest mining disaster in Brazilian history. How much responsibility should mining companies take for this incident? Environmental activists and some investigators believe the disaster was entirely preventable, while warning signs of impending doom were ignored. For their part, BHP and Vale have pledged to work on the restoration of each affected community, but have not yet taken direct responsibility. Where is the truth?
The devastation was caused by the collapse of one of three similar dams, a precautionary prelude to what many believed was the inevitable collapse of the other two. This adds an extra sense of urgency to this powerful investigative documentary.
