Legal and environmental aspects on mine tailings disposal dams

摘要

The industrial tailings disposal always represents a serious problem. For the mining works this problem due its dimensions and peculiar characteristics must be considered with special care. The objective of this paper is to describe the environmental implications on the mining activities related to the tailings dam disposal which can bring problems to the mine during its lifetime. The new 1988 Federal Brazilian Constitution is examined, regarding to the environment aspects and its principles to show more common management infractions concerning to the Mining Code and the position of the inspection agencies.