In 2019, Brazil’s Brumadinho dam - a tailings (mining waste) dam owned and operated by Brazilian mining giant Vale - collapsed, leading to 270 deaths and millions of tonnes of toxic waste being leaked into the surrounding area. In the aftermath of the event, Vale was ordered to pay US$7 billion to affected communities, and Brazilian prosecutors have since charged 16 people – including Vale’s former CEO – with murder and Environmental Crimes, alleging that Vale was aware that the dam was unstable yet neglected to address risks in order to avoid negative reputational impacts that could affect market value. The legal process remains ongoing and, as of 2025, no convictions have yet been made.