PAEBM

PAEBM – Emergency Action Plan for Mining Tailings Dams

The safety of our tailings dams is a top priority. The PAEBM outlines guidelines to minimize risks and protect the community.

What is the PAEBM?

The Emergency Action Plan for Mining Tailings Dams (PAEBM) is a document that outlines guidelines for immediate actions in emergency situations. Its goal is to reduce risks to communities, mitigate environmental impacts, and protect cultural heritage. Mineração Morro do Ipê’s tailings dams comply with the National and State Dam Safety Policies and have their own PAEBMs. The plan is developed and managed in accordance with legal requirements and the guidance of protection and civil defense authorities, ensuring the effectiveness of safety measures.

Emergency Levels

The PAEBM categorizes emergencies into three levels, each with specific actions:

Emergency Level

Details

Communication

Actions to be taken

Level 1

When an anomaly is identified that receives the highest score regarding structural condition, or in any situation with potential safety risk, requiring special (daily) inspections.

National Mining Agency, Environmental Authorities, Civil Defense (National, State, and Local).

Signs of instability are posted. Monitoring is intensified.

Level 2

When the anomaly from Level 1 is classified as “uncontrolled” or “not resolved,” requiring new inspections and interventions.

National Mining Agency, Environmental Authorities, Civil Defense, population in ZAS and ZSS.

Evacuation begins for residents in the Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS).

Level 3

Situation of imminent or ongoing dam failure.

National Mining Agency, Environmental Authorities, Civil Defense, population in ZAS and ZSS.

Sirens are triggered immediately; additional measures are taken for the Secondary Evacuation Zone (ZSS).

ZAS and ZSS

The Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) is the area where authorities have limited time to intervene. In these areas, residents must be guided to take independent action, such as immediate evacuation without waiting for external assistance. The Secondary Evacuation Zone (ZSS) extends beyond the ZAS and allows more time for authorities to alert and mobilize response teams in emergency situations.

Access the ZAS maps for Brumadinho, Igarapé, and São Joaquim de Bicas:

The Importance of Signage in the PAEBM

Signage is essential to guide the community and authorities in emergency situations. Mineração Morro do Ipê installs and updates these signs in Brumadinho, Igarapé, and São Joaquim de Bicas in partnership with local Civil Defense teams, ensuring that risk areas, evacuation routes, and meeting points are always clearly marked and up to date.

Emergency Contacts

Civil Defense: 199
State Civil Defense: defesacivil@defesacivil.mg.gov.br | (31) 99819-2400
Civil Defense Brumadinho: (31) 3571-6067
Civil Defense São Joaquim de Bicas: (31) 99358-0097 | (31) 3534-9000
Civil Defense Igarapé: (31) 99283-0403 | (31) 3534-5382

Important Contacts

Geotechnical Monitoring Center (24/7)
Phone number: (31) 3614-1841

PAEBM Dams

Access detailed PAEBM documents for the Ipê and Tico-Tico Mine tailings dams: