Vale's Management Team Is on Thin Ice After Deadly Dam Break

Unlike last recent dam break, Vale is the only the only owner
Police arrested 5 Vale employees and contractos on Tuesday

A pick up truck sits among debris after a Vale SA dam burst in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais state, Brazil.Photographer: Victor Moriyama/Bloomberg

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By Rt Watson

January 28, 2019 at 11:00 PM UTC

Updated on

January 29, 2019 at 11:02 AM UTC

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As the death toll continues to rise from a fatal accident at a dam owned by Vale SA, the Brazilian miner’s top management is coming under increased criticism in the highest levels of government.

"There must be punishment," Vice President Hamilton Mourao told reporters in Brazil’s capital on Monday, adding that "if there was any malpractice, recklessness or negligence on the part of someone inside the company, this person has to answer criminally."