SAO PAULO, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Brazilian Mines Minister Eduardo Braga said on Thursday that the government is starting an independent audit of containment dams in the mining sector after the deadly dam burst of Samarco last week.
Braga denied that budget cuts stemming from the government's austerity measures contributed to any reduction in oversight of dams in the mining industry.
Two tailings dams broke their dikes last week sending a deadly spate of mud and mining waste down the Rio Doce valley in Minas Gerais state.