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CBMM adopts the best engineering practices and new technologies when planning its dams. Such practices extend to the phases of the dams’ implementation, operation, monitoring, maintenance or de-characterization.

 

With over 60 years of history in product development and application of niobium technology, CBMM reaffirms its commitment to the safety of the community and the environment where it operates. In addition, it works proactively and transparently together with official agencies on the Safety Management of its Dams.

 

Dams

 

A Dam is an artificial structure which has the objective of retaining water, sediments, tailings or waste.

 

Dams are currently linked to several activities which bring benefits to human development such as:

 

- Electricity production;
- Water supply;
- Flood control in rainy periods;
- Agricultural irrigation;
- Mining and industrial waste disposal;
- Recreation and tourism

 


CBMM has 6 dams in its Industrial Complex



It has a specialized technical team for the management of its dams which comprises of engineers, technicians and trained professionals who oversee the safety of all phases during these structures lifespan.

Dam 4
Dam 5
Dam 6
Dam 7
Dam 8
Dam D


How are the dams managed?

The plans are developed by companies operating nationally and internationally with the participation of multidisciplinary professionals in order to ensure that the best practices and best available technologies are adopted. Before their implementation, the plans are checked by independent consultants in order to validate the adopted technical procedures.

The implementation of the dams is carried out by a company which  comprises of specialized technical staff with proven experience. All  the work is supervised by CBMM and by contracted companies.
 
The operating dams are constructed by downstream method, in which the embankment construction process is made in layer of 20 and 20 centimeters over a resistant foundation.

The constructions have specialized technical monitoring which performs the activities of technological control whose aim is to ensure that the technical demands in the plan are being followed.

 

Industrial Waste Disposal and Water Recirculation:

The waste from the beneficiation process are deposited in the dams following the strategic disposal plan devised by CBMM in partnership with specialized companies. Besides ensuring the best disposal of the waste, it also allows the recirculation of approximately 97% of the water used in the industrial process.

 

Sediment Containment:                                                                      

 

Rainwater that carries sediment is contained by dams with the aim of promoting its clarification. During dry periods, the stored sediments are removed from the dam and deposited in appropriate places in order to maintain the dam’s accumulation capacity.

 

Water storage:             

 

The water dam operation happens through water collection in a pumping system so that it meets the industrial demands which are not met by water recirculation in the industrial waste dams.


Monitoring:     

 

The monitoring of the structures is done full-time, using automated instrumentation and high-resolution cameras linked to the Integrated Monitoring Center. In addition, teams inspect the dams periodically, monitor the instruments and identify the structure conservation state.


Maintenance:      

The maintenance of the dams is carried out by an internal team with the support of specialized companies. Any and every necessary maintenance is carried out within the engineering criteria and with full monitoring of the activities.

 

 

The dams in the Industrial Complex are periodically inspected by regulatory bodies in compliance with the current legislation. In addition, they are audited by professionals external to the Company's staff in order to assess the procedures, the safety conditions and operational records, as well as to attest the condition and stability of the dam.
The Dam Safety Plan is a management system that aims to promote the organization of information from all phases of the dam and to ensure its traceability throughout the lifespan of the structure.