Heavier rainfall and more frequent storms raise the risk of floodwaters running over or around dams, potentially causing them to fail.
The January 2019 collapse of a dam in Brumadinho, Brazil, sent mining tailings and mud over the landscape for miles, destroying this bridge and killing 300 people.
Andre Penner/AP
Dams built to hold enormous quantities of toxic mining waste have a long history of spills. Decisions in the Pacific Northwest threaten three free-flowing rivers there.
Recovery efforts are underway in Bentos Rodrigues district in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state.
Reuters/Ricardo Moraes
BHP and Vale are under intense scrutiny following the failure of two dams associated with a joint venture iron ore mine in Brazil. It is believed 28 people have died.