Pau Branco Iron Mine was ordered to stop operation because of dam overflow

French steel pipe maker Valurek suspended its operations at the Pau Branco iron ore mine in Brazil on Sunday, a day after a dyke at the mine overflowed and cut off a federal road, the company said.

The overflow of the dam cut off traffic on Saturday on the BR-040 highway, the main road connecting Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte.

"the company is working with authorities and authorities to minimize interference that has occurred and to return to normal," Valurek said in a statement. "

The company did not immediately respond to a request for information about current production at its mine in New Lima, Minas Gerais.

According to the documents, a state court also ordered a suspension of the company's "material handling activities of any nature".

Valurek said it had not received any notice of legal action.

The rain caused the spill on Saturday.

The region and other parts of Brazil have experienced torrential rains in recent days. At least 20 people died in severe flooding in the northeastern state of Bahia.