The historical geography of iron ore tailings dams in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract The article analyzes the proliferation of iron ore tailings dams in Minas Gerais, highlighting geological, economic, and administrative factors that have driven the implementation and expansion of these structures. The objective is to present a historical and geographical overview of the dams from 1970 to 2020. The research utilizes data from the Integrated Mining Dam Safety Management System (SIGBM) and the Brazilian Mineral Yearbook, in addition to a bibliographic review and field activities. The results indicate that the installation of the dams is linked to the beginning of itabirite exploitation, which led to the establishment of beneficiation plants and generated a large amount of tailings. The intensification of interregional competition from the 1960s pressured mining companies to seek low-cost solutions to expand production and reduce expenses, consolidating less expensive methods such as wet beneficiation and the disposal of waste in dams. The research also identifies the earliest records of socio-environmental problems associated with these structures, as well as a recurrence of issues since 2014, including the disasters in Mariana and Brumadinho and other episodes involving community evacuations due to the risk of new failures.