Brazil's mining tragedy and the dangers of storing iron ore waste

Brazil suffered one of the worst environmental tragedies in the country's history. A mining dam located in Minas Gerais collapsed and spilled 196 million cubic feet (60 million cubic meters) of mud into rivers, communities, and the ocean.

The Samarco iron ore operation is a joint venture between BHP Billiton and Vale. On the 5th November, a tailings dam broke and contaminated waters of the rivers that flow towards the Atlantic Ocean.

At least 11 people lost their lives, the water supply was cut, hundreds of thousands were directly affected by the dam failure. The Samarco disaster killed an undetermined number of fish and destroyed some of the best surf breaks Brazil has to offer. Boca do Rio Doce, near Regencia, is only an example.