Tech roundup: An app to prevent dam disasters

Welcome to our Tech roundup, where we bring you Brazil’s biggest stories on technology and innovation. This week: an app collecting security data and alerts to avoid dam failures gains an important update. 

App to warn people of dam risks gets an important update

Last year, the Minas Gerais Electricity Company (Cemig) created a tool to gather safety information from mining and hydroelectric dams while also expanding the existing communication channels between the population, local authorities, energy and mining companies, firefighters, and civil defense professionals — principally when it comes to dam-related disasters.  

• Taking the shape of an app, it has now been officially launched in partnership with the Brazilian Institute of Mining (Ibram), with a much larger scope and several new updates.

Which dams are there. So far, the platform has registered 536 dams and other structures from Cemig and 11 mining companies. Another 50 to 60 firms are processing data, especially in the state of Minas Gerais. However, the expectation is that the app will become a national reference for alerting emergencies and sending safety guidelines.

Why it matters. Among the mining companies with structures listed on the app are giant firms Vale and Samarco, responsible for the tragedies that occurred at the Mariana and Brumadinho dams, in Minas Gerais, which resulted in the deaths of 289 people.

• Having dam safety information available could prevent future disasters from happening. However, this relies on companies submitting up-to-date data.

How it works. Residents in at-risk regions can already use the app to check for dam failure alerts, in addition to finding out about nearby reservoirs, which areas could be affected in the event of an accident, and recommended escape routes. 

• The data is collected and compiled by the Civil Defense Force, the Fire Department, and the mining companies themselves.

New...