Brazil's federal police have formally accused iron ore miner Samarco, a joint venture between Vale and BHP Billiton, of deliberate misconduct in relation to a catastrophic dam failure that killed 19 people and polluted hundreds of miles of rivers last November. The official police seven-month investigation concluded that, for years, Samarco ignored clear signs the dam was at risk of failing, including cracks and drainage problems at the Fundão tailings dam that collapsed Nov. 5. The seven-month investigation concluded that, for years, Samarco ignored clear signs the dam was at risk of failing, including cracks and drainage problems. Officials also accused Vale — because it deposited its own mining waste into the dam — and VogBR, the service company that checked the safety of the dam, of wilful misconduct. Eight executives were also accused, although the police did not disclose their names. The case will now be passed to prosecutors to decide whether to press charges.
