Kinross Paracatu reaffirms commitment to responsible mining with emergency preparedness simulation

This October, Kinross Paracatu reaffirmed their commitment to responsible mining in the Cunha, Lagoa de Santo Antônio, Machadinho and Santa Rinta communities downstream from the dam through their annual emergency preparedness simulation.

The exercise is an opportunity for community members to engage in a real-time simulation of our emergency preparedness plan in the unlikely event of a tailings dam failure at Paracatu.

In addition, the simulation serves as an opportunity for Kinross to evaluate the quality of our preparedness plan including the audibility of our alert systems, clarity of signage along evacuation routes and the mobilization of residents and their travel time to safety.

Kinross Gold's tailings facilities are designed and constructed to the highest engineering standards and meet or exceed regulatory and international requirements and best practice standards. An independent assessment of tailings facilities at site is conducted annually, and rigorous maintenance, monitoring, and emergency response procedures and plans are in place, including daily inspections. Learn more about Kinross Gold's Tailings Management and Heap Leach Management here.

"Kinross Gold's tailings dams are safe and do not pose a risk to our communities," said Luana Gomes, Communications and Community Relations Manager, Paracatu. "However, it is essential that all our community members who live downstream of the dams know the alerts, sirens, escape routes and meeting points, and these simulations ensure we are doing our part to keep them informed and safe."

This year, the simulation was attended by over 260 community members with support from the Paracatu fire department, military, state and federal police, public agencies and Kinross employees. The simulation began by activating the dam's emergency alarms and mobilizing residents along evacuation routes to one of the 17 'Self-Rescue Zones' within 15 minutes. 'Self-Rescue Zones' are designated safe spaces built to withstand unlikely dam failures and consist of medical triage teams, emergency professionals and Kinross support staff. Once all residents arrived at the Zones, they had the opportunity to meet with tailings and community relations representatives from Kinross to discuss the simulation, self-rescue zones, and any potential concerns experienced during the simulation.

At the conclusion of the session, residents expressed their gratitude for the simulation and their level of comfort in our emergency preparedness plans.

"The emergency preparedness plan was very well-activated. The sirens were easy to hear and the Paracatu team did an excellent job of preparing us on how to act in this unlikely event," said Amilton Gonçalves da Silva, Vice-President of the Lagoa Association. "We were provided with preparatory meetings in Lagoa and residents were instructed with schedules and procedures to ensure our safety. The Kinross team event went door-to-door in our community to reinforce guidelines and share pamphlets to ensure even those unable to attend would be informed. This simulation was a great exercise, and we are very thankful for Kinross' commitment to ensuring our safety."

Members of the emergency preparedness simulation team prepare to kick off the 2025 simulation!

Community members travel along one of the evacuation routes to a self-rescue zone

A Paracatu employee helps direct residents to one of the self-rescue zones

A Paracatu employee helps answer a resident's questions

Evacuation route signage is seen along resident travel route

A Paracatu employee during the Lagoa de Santo Antônio information session