💰 Punishing those dam lies

A high court upholds a fine against mining giant Vale, using anti-corruption legislation. The court system and Brazil's fiscal rules. And how Brazilians see their own country

Author

Gustavo Ribeiro
April 07, 2025 • Reading Time: 2 minutes

Good morning! Investors in Brazil are bracing for a tough day’s trading, as stocks in Asia and Europe plunged after the Trump administration doubled down on its global tariffs. 

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Mining giant has fine upheld over Brumadinho dam oversight

Fire brigades dug hundreds of bodies from a sea of mud after the Brumadinho dam collapsed in 2019. Photo: CBMG

Fire brigades dug hundreds of bodies from a sea of mud after the Brumadinho dam collapsed in 2019. Photo: CBMG

The Superior Court of Justice (STJ), Brazil’s second-highest judicial body, upheld a fine of BRL 86 million (USD 14.9 million) against mining giant Vale for obstructing government oversight at one of its mining dams.

Driving the news. The fine is based on the 2013 Anti-Corruption Law, even though no direct act of bribery or embezzlement was alleged.

👉 Why it matters. This marks the first time the STJ has ruled on the scope of this legislation, according to Justice Regina Helena Costa, who wrote the opinion upholding the fine. Legal experts say the court’s decision could open the door to tougher administrative sanctions against companies that provide misleading information or withhold data from public authorities. 

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