Brazil federal police concludes probe into Braskem salt mining disaster
SAO PAULO, Nov 1 (Reuters) -Brazil's federal police said on Friday that 20 people have been formally accused following an investigation into a sinking ground disaster related to salt mining activities in Maceio, where petrochemicals firm Braskem has been active for decades.
The police did not name the company, or those who were formally accused after concluding its investigation.
Braskem's mines began extracting rock salt in the 1970s in the northeastern city of Maceio, but operations were halted from 2019 after authorities said it contributed to five neighborhoods sinking. Thousands of families had to be removed from the affected areas.
Over the past few years, the company has been paying billions of reais in reparations to the city and its residents.
In response to a Reuters request for comment, Braskem said that it had not analyzed the entire police report.
"Since the beginning of the investigation the company has contributed with the information and clarifications within its reach," it said, adding that it "has always acted in line with the laws and regulations of the sector."
The police did not clarify what the 20 people were formally accused of.
The authorities only said the accusations include six different transgressions, three of which are listed in the country's environmental crimes law.
Braskem said it had "confidence in the members mentioned in the investigation."
Reporting by Alberto Alerigi Jr.; Editing by Sharon Singleton
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
