Samarco accepted the MPF calculation methodology and will pay the difference in emergency aid amounts to indigenous peoples
After the technical opinion of the (Federal Public Ministry), the mining company committed to transferring approximately R$ 217.6 million additional as a correction in the payments of financial aid to traditional peoples and communities affected by the virus, in Mariana (MG). The measure benefits thousands of families who had been receiving amounts below what they were owed, as identified by the agency’s technical expertise.
The correction is the result of an official inquiry made by , following complaints from mining communities. The Public Prosecutor, Eduardo Henrique de Almeida Aguiar, responsible for the case, requested an analysis from the CNP (National Center of Expertise) of the SPPEA (Secretariat of Expertise, Research and Analysis), of the MPF, which confirmed that the calculations used by the company to pay the AFE (Emergency Financial Aid) and the ASE (Emergency Subsistence Aid) were incorrect.
In a document sent to the MPF on April 17, 2026, Samarco committed to adopting the calculation methodology indicated in the MPF’s technical opinion to calculate the retroactive AFE/ASE for all eligible families.
The amount of R$217.6 million refers exclusively to the difference between what has already been paid and the amount that the communities are entitled to receive, according to the expert criteria. This adjustment will be paid off with the third installment of retroactive aid.
Practical impact
The MPF’s expertise pointed out that the correct calculation must consider the value of a monthly minimum wage, plus 20% for each dependent. Furthermore, the values must be updated by inflation (IPCA) until the date on which the community was officially recognized and, from then on, corrected by the Selic rate until the day of effective payment.
In total, the correction reaches 6,928 holders and 5,986 dependents from different regions. Among the groups that will receive the adjusted values are garimpeiros, R$37.2 million; sparkers, R$40.7 million; Sapê do Norte, R$135.4 million; in addition to the communities of Santa Efigênia, Povoação and the Puri people, who will also have their values complemented.
After payment of the 3rd installment of retroactive aid – approximately R$448 million – plus an adjustment of R$217.6 million, the communities affected by the dam collapse will have received the 3 installments plus the adjustment of R$1.4 billion in the 2 aids.
The MPF will continue to monitor the transfer schedule, as well as the execution of the entire New Rio Doce Agreement, to ensure that reparations reach those affected in full.
This text was originally by the Federal Public Ministry, on May 4, 2026. The content is free for republication, citing the source, it was adapted to the standard of Poder360.
