The dam, built in 2007, was composed of cheap substandard materials; warning coming from its engineers on its fragility were dismissed by Samarco, Fundao's operating company. Samarco, in turn, is co-owned by mining giant Vale, the fifth largest donor to Brazilian politicians - an action not considered to be illegal under Brazilian law.
Industrialists and politicians agreed that economic development and job growth went before environmental concerns. As a result, Samarco failed to submit an evacuation plan for local residents in the case of a dam burst. Samarco has currently been forced to cease operating after the disaster until the damage has been cleared, albeit at the request of local politicians requesting to reopen sites in the fear of economic stagnation.
Following the disaster, the Extraordinary Commission on Dams was created by legislators in writing a report about the disaster and establishing a basis for laws to improve safeguards. Controversially, more than half of those legislators either receive substantial campaign donations from mining companies or were facing corruption charges.
It is clear that the source of these issues stems from the influence large companies play in overshadowing the government's capacities, as well as the lack of distinction between the business and political conduct. It would be assumed, given Brazil's reputation of environmental abuse (i.e. destruction of the Amazon), it would be assumed that serious measures would be taken. Additionally, how can businesses and politicians aim to create jobs when they fail to produce the measures necessary to protect the livelihoods of those who work for them? Questions on this matter regard the manner of which Brazil, politically and economically, conducts its domestic affairs; meanwhile, however, most Brazilians in Minas Gerais live in constant alert.
Sources:
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2016/08/brazil-river-mud-160818081002569.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-37218145
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