After the Mariana dam disaster in 2015, officials vowed ‘never again’. However, in January 2019, just three years later, a mining disaster struck once again, this time causing an even greater loss to human life.

Nearly 300 people died when a tailings dam collapsed in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, and, once again, toxic sludge was released into the environment. It destroyed infrastructure, submerged vehicles, and contaminated water supplies and has continued harming ecological systems and individuals. 

Pogust Goodhead is looking to hold TÜV SÜD to account after they certified the Brumadinho dam’s stability despite the clear warnings about its potential for destruction. TÜV SÜD is a German industrial inspection company that granted the dam a safety certificate just months before its collapse. 

The elements of the catastrophe were evident before it struck; news reports detailed structural problems, damaged monitoring systems, blocked drainage pipes and water seeping from areas of the dam.

The liquefaction of tailings, consisting of water, the by-product of iron ore mining, and the subsequent phenomenal force of mud, was preventable.

The Team

BrunaFicklschererCol
Bruna Ficklscherer
Read More
CamilaSimãoCol
Camila Simão
Read More

Our Cases

We represent a diverse range of clients against multi-national corporations, governments, and institutions around the world.

Mariana Dam, Brazil
Mariana Dam Disaster
The worst environmental disaster in Brazil’s history has triggered one of the biggest legal claims ever filed in the Courts of England and Wales: the Mariana...
Read More
Diesel Claim
Diesel Emissions Fraud
Pogust Goodhead is taking action against vehicle manufacturers that have been accused of malpractice to hold them to account.
Read More
My Finance Claim Mis-sold car finance
Mis-sold Car Finance
Pogust Goodhead is taking action against vehicle manufacturers that have been accused of malpractice to hold them to account.
Read More