Brazil's Samarco fails to deliver emergency plans again for dam disaster

Brazilian mining giant Samarco, joint venture of Vale and BHP Billiton, on Tuesday failed to deliver the company's emergency plans for the disaster in Mariana for the second time.

As required by Brazilian courts, emergency plans are to be in place to ensure that Samarco is ready to deal with large environmental disasters.

However, Samarco precautions and emergency plans were insufficient.

On Nov. 5, two tailings dams owned by Samarco collapsed in Mariana, Minas Gerais state.

Dozens of tons of mud and mining waste flew down a valley, destroying an entire residential neighborhood, leaving 16 dead and hundreds homeless.

The toxic mud ended up reaching the Doce River, the main river in the region and one of the most important in Brazil. And it then flew down until the river's mouth in the state of Espirito Santo, finally reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

The toxic mud killed animals, caused severe damage to areas of rich biodiversity, left fishermen without work and even gave rise to problems in energy generation and water distribution.

The disaster led to huge environmental damage and economic loss.

Up to now, Samarco hasn't provided a timetable for its emergency plans. And the Brazilian courts have yet to disclose the company's punishment for not meeting the deadline. Endi