Aware of the negative impacts of our business, Vale has made public commitments to minimize them by adopting more efficient and sustainable processes and new control technologies. We aim to go beyond the obligations set forth in legislation, in line with our global strategy of leading the transition to low-carbon mining. We pay special attention to reducing the impacts caused by atmospheric emissions on communities surrounding our operations.
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Performance Indicators
SOx Emissions (thousand metric tons)
NOx Emissions (thousand metric tons)
Particulate Emissions (thousand metric tons)
Performance Progress
The observed reductions in atmospheric emissions from 2023 to 2024 are directly related to the divestment of the PTVI unit in Indonesia.
Operational efficiency regarding particulate matter emissions has remained stable. Investments in existing control improvements are planned for the Tubarão pelletizing plants in the coming years, and emissions are expected to decrease in spite of the increase in production.
For SOx, a reduction is expected for the pelletizing business due to the energy transition at the São Luis plant and the gradual replacement of S500 diesel with S10 diesel in Brazil.
It is important to note that that the particulate matter results consider measurements from stationary sources (stacks) in the operations. For technical monitoring and measurement reasons, diffuse emissions or air quality results are not considered. SOx and NOx results consider measurements from stationary sources and calculations based on fuel consumption across all Vale businesses.
These are our goals until 2030, compared to the 2018 baseline:
• Reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 10%; and
• Reduce sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions by 16%.
Vargem Grande Complex, Minas Gerais Photo: Marcelo Rosa
2030 targets (thousands of metric tons)
The goals are absolute, and although the 2024 results are below the target, emissions are projected to rise in the coming years due to the increase in production. Initiatives to reduce emissions in the coming years include:
(i) synergy of the PM, NOx, and SOx reduction projects with strategic low-carbon planning;
(ii) fostering the development of specific technologies that contribute to reducing these emissions;
(iii) use of biofuels; and
(iv) increasing operational efficiency.
See the complete performance indicators in the ESG Databook
Our Management
To this purpose, four strategic pillars of action were established:
1.
Atmospheric Emissions Governance
2.
Atmospheric Emissions Monitoring
3.
Atmospheric Emissions Control
4.
Risk and Impact Management
We seek to reduce our emissions through a series of measures, such as improving control systems, testing dust suppression products, and improving management processes, among others. The equipment used to monitor emissions and air quality allows for rapid action in the event of deviations.
Types of Atmospheric Emission Sources
• Mobile: these come from mobile sources, such as motor vehicles and vessels. They are released during the operation of internal combustion engines.
• Point: these occur locally and are concentrated in a single location, such as an industrial exhaust fan.
• Diffuse (non-point): these come from multiple, dispersed, and less easily identifiable sources, such as the evaporation of chemical solvents.
• Continuous monitoring: consists of the almost instantaneous analysis of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the gaseous effluent, using devices installed on the side of the chimneys.
• Discontinuous monitoring: also called isokinetic sampling, is performed by extracting a sample of the gaseous effluent, followed by laboratory analysis.
• Fuel emission factor and sulfur content: calculation of emissions based on equipment characteristics and fuel content, using technical references and scientific literature.
• Mass balance: quantifies the input, output, accumulation, generation, or destruction of the analyzed substance, using the difference in emissions to the environment as the basis for calculation.
Moreover, to meet environmental requirements, we also maintain and operate air quality monitoring networks in some operations and nearby communities. These initiatives support the adoption of control systems, monitoring, and emissions management plans.
Emissions reduction initiatives
Sustainable Dust Suppressor
Vale has started using the PET-based dust suppressor on an industrial scale.. The new product is the result of 10 years of research by the company in partnership with the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES). The plastic undergoes a chemical recycling process that transforms it into resin, which can be applied to train wagons, access roads, and piles of iron ore, tailings, and coal, forming a protective film that prevents dust emissions.
The dust suppressor is a type of environmental control commonly used in the company’s operations and can be made from various raw materials, such as glycerin. However, production from recycled plastic is unique and patented by Vale and UFES. Since 2013, the university and the company have conducted tests and technical validations on a laboratory and pilot scale, attesting to the effectiveness of the product.
Besides ensuring efficient environmental control, the sustainable suppressor has the potential to remove more than 1 million PET bottles from the environment each month for production in Espírito Santo. The number could reach up to 2 million bottles by 2026, with expansion planned for other operations, which will require a total of 780,000 liters of suppressor.
In addition to bottles, the sustainable dust suppressor production process can also utilize other materials considered to be poorly recyclable, such as PET plastic used in trays and bottles of all colors, such as black energy drink bottles, which currently end up in landfills.
Learn more here.Research project with Federal University of Pará tests different types of dust suppressants for tailings piles
Foto: Walfried Amaral Weissmann
Mina Brucutu, Barão de Cocais, Minas Gerai
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