Vale on Thursday (6th June’19) announced resumption of freight train operation on the Belo Horizonte branch line between Sabará and Barão de Cocais, which is operated by the Vitória-Minas Railroad (EFVM). The announcement came after affirmation of no risk to the railroad from the wave generate by the northern slope of the Gongo Soco mine. The passenger trains so operating on the same line has also resumed but under special conditions.
Earlier, towards mid-May’19 Vale had suspended freight services over dam landslide threat due to movement detection at Gonog Soco mining pit, which is inactive since 2016. The vibration so produced was expected to adversely affect the Sul Superior dam. As per Vale estimates made earlier, the pace of movement in the Gongo Soco mine was expected to result in rupture of dam and consequently the freight lines in its vicinity were suspended.
Thereafter, the pit and dam were monitored 24 hours a day. Also, the passenger train that operates on the same line, was suspended since 16th May, for an indefinite period. Buses, leased by the company, were replacing trains operating in both directions between Belo Horizonte and the Dois Irmãos Train Station in Barão de Cocais.
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