Jaguar Mining (TSX: JAG) is facing further difficulties at its Turmalina Mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The mine this morning saw the Regional Superintendence of Labor of Minas Gerais suspend operations at the mine as a result of safety risks.
The suspension follows the company experiencing a landslide associated with its dry stack tailings on December 7, following a routine inspection that identified an imminent risk of collapse. Brazil’s National Mining Agency, upon being alerted to the risk, ordered a suspension of activities on site.
While no injuries were reported in relation to the landslide, multiple homes and buildings were impacted by the slide, resulting in 134 residents initially being evacuated. That number is said to have climbed to 255 people, as per local journalists, following new movement recorded last week. Heavy rains in the region are expected to potentially impact the risk of further landslides as well.
WATCH: Jaguar Mining: Disaster In Brazil
The closure of the mine by the Regional Superintendence of Labor is said to be due to the risk of further landslides, with the federal agency stating, “A partial rupture of the support structure of a mountain of rubble was detected and part of the waste slipped. There is still a risk of rupture of the protruding part or new movement of the ruptured part.”
Work is said to have been occurring on site by Jaguar in an attempt to eliminate the risk of further landslides, while the tailings pile is being monitored by georadars and specialized equipment.
162 buildings are said to have been evacuated as a result of the landslides, with seven being hit. 97 families have been relocated, with the majority of them staying in hotels in the area.
Jaguar Mining last traded at $2.44 on the TSX.
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One Response
The most stunning and worrying aspect of Jaguar Minings uncertain stats of its 6 ^TSFS and one dry stack at Turmialina is the complete absence of any technical documeentaation on the failed facility. This shutddown specifically points to wider stability concerns. Were none of these redflagged in Tierra Groups work ( https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lindsay-newland-bowker-175a0a68_project-highlights-activity-7274442195716182018-SgXb?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop) were any noted conditions addressed by Jaguar?This refelct on/points to needed reform in the duties of indeoedeent engineers with respect to any noted condition of concern , to regulators who allow mines to operate without detailed engineering reports on all structures and to the supposedly reformed Toronto Exchnage that doesn’t require this information in NI43-101’s.