Lula’s Strong Stance on Vale’s Actions
On September 26, 2025, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made a significant statement regarding the actions of Vale S.A. following the catastrophic collapse of the Mariana dam in Minas Gerais in November 2015. During the inauguration of the Federal Council of Social Participation for the Doce River Basin and Northern Capixaba Coast, held at the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília, Lula expressed his concerns about the mining company’s approach to negotiating reparations for the affected communities.
Allegations Against Vale
Lula accused Vale of resisting negotiations and suggested that the company created the Renova Foundation as a strategy to mislead the local population. “The company had a president who didn’t want to negotiate and aimed to create a foundation possibly to trick the people in the region,” he stated, referring to the foundation established by Vale, BHP, and Samarco in 2016 following the disaster.
The Purpose of the Renova Foundation
The Renova Foundation was built to manage reparations and address the damage caused by the dam collapse. However, Lula indicated that the previous agreement reached under the foundation failed to deliver meaningful outcomes for the local population. He emphasized, “The earlier agreement brought no results. There was a president of Renova who never wanted to engage with us, didn’t want to form agreements, and neglected the workers’ plight.” This reflects ongoing frustrations regarding the reparation process.
The New Agreement
In June 2025, a new pact was signed by the federal government to replace the Renova model, known as the Novo Acordo do Rio Doce. This agreement aims to ensure a more direct allocation of resources for various sectors, including health, education, and environmental initiatives. Lula highlighted that the new agreement, estimated at R$ 170 billion, sets a different course for addressing the needs of the communities impacted by the disaster.
The Role of the Communities
The President called for the essential involvement of affected communities in the governance of the funds allocated under the new agreement. “This agreement, while not extraordinary, is exceptional because it emerged from extensive discussions and disputes,” Lula remarked. His emphasis on community participation signifies a shift towards a more inclusive approach in the decision-making processes related to reparations.
Inauguration of the Council
During the council’s inauguration ceremony, Lula confirmed the release of R$ 1.6 billion to support 104 new health projects connected to the agreement across 48 municipalities. A total of 36 council members were appointed, with the authority to deliberate on a R$ 5 billion fund earmarked for community projects.
Prominent Figures Present
In addition to Lula, key figures such as Gleisi Hoffmann, Minister of Institutional Relations; Alexandre Padilha, Minister of Health; and Jorge Messias, Attorney General of the Union, attended the event, signaling the government’s commitment to addressing the issues stemming from the disaster.
Conclusion: A New Direction
As the government and civil society embark on implementing the Novo Acordo do Rio Doce, the focus will be on ensuring that the resources are applied correctly and benefit the communities affected by the Mariana tragedy. Lula’s rhetoric reflects a determination to rectify the perceived injustices of the past and foster hope in the affected populations.
