In Brazil, Environment Law Breakers Pay only 8.7% of Fines

11/23/2015 – 10h43

Judging by past events, it is very likely that the public coffers will never receive the money of the R$ 250 million (US$ 62.5 million) fine that Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) imposed on Samarco – which is controlled by Vale and BHP Billiton, of England and Australia – responsible for the “mud tsunami” that destroyed villages and lives and covered the Doce river.

Between 2011 and 2014, only 8.7% of the amounts charged in environmental fines by Ibama (a federal government agency) were paid. Read more.