Ecological restoration following the Fundão dam collapse

Environmental repairs after a tragedy with worldwide repercussions.

The collapse of the Fundão dam had a substantial socio-environmental impact. In addition to the loss of human lives and material goods, a significant environmental catastrophe occurred with the contamination of ore tailings along the entire course of the Rio Doce from Mariana/MG to its estuary through the Municipality of São Mateus/ES, devastating riverbank vegetation and river life.

Egis' challenge was to intervene in a location with high social sensitivity, under the watchful eye of NGOs, the Department of Public Prosecution and the population to contribute to reducing the damage caused by the tragedy.

Our experience in forest restoration in large projects, especially with Petrobras, enabled us to act in an extremely sensitive context and meet contractual demands on social responsibility with regard to the local community through contracting services such as the acquisition of materials, thus boosting the local economy.

Finally, we complied with the Conduct Adjustment Term with the Department of Public Prosecution, with the planting and maintenance of the affected areas, in particular on the banks of the Rio Doce.

The complexity of planting in tailings and hilltop areas.

For the development of these forest restoration and recovery activities, two types of land were planted: on the banks of the Rio Doce in the tailings areas and on the tops of hills that contribute to the water load to the river. For this Egis and the local supplier of ground drilling equipment adapted the drill that they were planning to use to the local circumstances. This improved productivity by 382%; subsequently, this tool was made available to other local suppliers.

Our role in people's lives and the region's environmental recovery.

Faced with the challenge of operating in an area with high expectations from the population due to the scale of the environmental disaster, we knew that we had to deal with this activity in the most strategic way possible. Initially, the environment was hostile, but also full of solidarity, as the community knew that Egis was there to contribute with all the experience it had acquired over many years in restoration activities. With this knowledge, the community proved to be a valuable partner during the work.

First, the areas subject to planting were mapped with local producers, based on the preparation of an environmental diagnosis and executive planting projects. Next, a relationship was built with the local city halls for the selection of professionals to carry out the activities, as well as for the search for equipment and input suppliers.

After the landowners had cleared the areas, the Egis team carried out the land cleaning, selective clearing, crowning, ant control, liming, spacing, soil preparation and, finally, planting.

With the increase in productivity obtained by adapting the drill bit for the ground drill, Egis complied with the Term of Adjustment of Conduct within the deadline set by the Department of Public Prosecution, as well as involving the community in activities, through both direct contracting and relationships with owners and public agencies.

Hand in hand with the local population.

One of the main objectives of the restoration and reforestation activities was to work together with the local community and the affected municipalities, starting with the team and structure of the work with the region's labour and inputs.

Egis’ contractual goal was to have a local workforce of 70% and we managed to achieve an average percentage of 92%, one of the largest among the service providers of the Renova Foundation.

We also had the goal of having 70% of local suppliers for equipment and inputs. Our average rate was 89%, demonstrating our commitment to being on the side not only of the contractor but of the local community, enabling an increase in income in a region which was severely affected by the halt in mining activity caused by the dam failure.

Ecological restoration following the Fundão dam collapse.

Client

Timeline

Environmental benefit

Diversity by nature.

The challenge.

Environmental repairs after a tragedy with worldwide repercussions.

Imagine.

The complexity of planting in tailings and hilltop areas.

Create.

Our role in people's lives and the region's environmental recovery.

Achieve.

Hand in hand with the local population.

Sustainability: the path to be pursued in the region

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