Brazil's northern Alagoas state declared a state of emergency for 180 days on Wednesday because of the imminent collapse of a salt mine owned by petrochemical producer Braskem.
The state government's decision comes after monitored seismic activities in the region became stronger while Braskem was advancing a salt mine closure plan. The company used to mine salt for its chlor-alkali operations in the area.
In March 2018 extraction from mine 18's wells, which are in a geological fault, caused the ground to subside in parts of Maceio, resulting in property damage in four of the city's neighborhoods.
The government said that under the emergency framework, government agencies will work together to respond, mainly in assisting the nearby population, rehabilitation of affected areas and reconstruction activities.
Braskem is monitoring the situation and data show that ground movement remains concentrated in the mine's area, it said today.
The company's service area, where well filling work is carried out, has been isolated since 28 November, in compliance with actions defined in safety protocols. All data collected are being shared in real time with authorities, the company said.
A court ordered the regional civil defense to relocate the area's population on late 29 November. Braskem said that it is helping the authorities.
Braskem has dedicated R14.4bn ($2.92bn) to deal with its salt mining operations' situation. It has already spent R9.2bn of that total.
In the meantime, public prosecutors offices of Brazil, Alagoas, and Maceio filed a joint civil lawsuit against Braskem on 30 November. The case is worth R1bn, according to the plaintiffs.
