A person wearing a white hard hat with the "VALE" logo and a light green uniform with reflective strips. The background appears to be an outdoor industrial or mining site.
Photo: Marcelo Coelho
A person standing in what appears to be a greenhouse or plant nursery. The person is wearing a green shirt and black pants, with an identification badge clipped to the shirt. The person's face is obscured. In the background, there are rows of plants on tables and some trees visible through the greenhouse structure.
Photo: Marcelo Coelho

Vale in Brazil

Vale began its operations in Brazil in 1942, in Itabira (MG). Over the decades, it expanded its activities and became one of the largest mining companies in the world.

In the country, Vale operates in an integrated manner across mining, logistics (with railways and ports) and energy generation to meet its operational demand. In addition to its operations, the company also develops social, cultural, environmental, and innovation projects through initiatives such as:

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Want to learn more about our history? Visit the Memory Space and discover various curiosities and milestones that brought us to where we are today.

Where is Vale in Brazil?

Currently, Vale is present in five Brazilian states, generating jobs and promoting the development of local communities. Check below the details of each operating location and learn more about regional operations:

A person wearing a white hard hat and a green vest with a yellow stripe, working in what appears to be a greenhouse or plant nursery. The person is surrounded by various green plants, and there is netting overhead providing shade. In the background, there are more plants and structural elements of the greenhouse.

Photo: Marcelo Coelho

Terraced landscape with several levels of soil and vegetation. There are vehicles and equipment on the terraces, indicating some form of construction or land development. In the background, there is a cityscape with tall buildings and a mountainous area covered in greenery. The sky is partly cloudy.

Minas Gerais

A large industrial machine, possibly used for mining or construction, releasing a stream of reddish-brown material. In the background, there is a lush green forest and a blue sky with some clouds.

Pará

A group of eight people wearing safety helmets and high-visibility vests stands behind a yellow barrier, observing an open-pit mining operation. The mine has multiple levels with winding roads and heavy machinery such as trucks and excavators working on different levels. There is also a small body of water visible in the lower left part of the mine.

Minas Gerais

An industrial facility, likely a mining or processing plant, situated in a lush green landscape with hills and trees in the background. The facility consists of multiple large structures, including conveyor belts, storage tanks, and various buildings. The sky is partly cloudy with blue patches visible.

Maranhão

Aerial view of an industrial facility surrounded by greenery and hills. The facility includes several large buildings, structures, and machinery. There is a road leading to the facility with some vehicles visible. The surrounding landscape consists of forested areas and open land.

Espírito Santo

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What is Vale’s role in Brazil?

What do we do?

Aerial view of a large open-pit mine with terraced levels and winding roads. There is a turquoise-colored water body at the bottom of the pit. The surrounding area includes more roads and some vegetation in the distance.

Mining

Vale is the world’s largest iron ore producer. In Brazil, it also produces nickel, copper, platinum group metals, gold, and silver. Among its operations, S11D Eliezer Batista stands out as the largest mining complex in the world and a benchmark in technology and sustainability.
A group of people in an office setting. There are several desks with computers, and people are working on them. One person is standing and holding a white hard hat, while others are seated at their desks. The room has large windows with blinds partially drawn, allowing natural light to enter.

Logistics

Vale operates one of the largest logistics networks in the country, integrating mines, railways, and ports. This infrastructure includes Brazil’s two long-distance passenger trains: the Vitória a Minas Railway and the Carajás Railway.
A large hydroelectric dam with water flowing through its spillways. The structure is made of concrete and is situated in a mountainous area. Two workers are visible on the right side of the image, standing near a yellow railing that runs along the edge of the dam. The water below is a deep green color, indicating its depth and flow rate.

Energy

Currently, 100% of the electricity used in Vale’s operations in Brazil comes from renewable sources, such as hydropower, wind, and solar, reinforcing the company’s commitment to decarbonization.
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Commitment to sustainable development in Brazil

Vale’s commitment to the country goes beyond mining. The company operates on strategic fronts to promote sustainable development and environmental preservation in the regions where it is present:

  • Environmental protection: Vale protects or helps protect around one million hectares of its own land and third-party land in partnership, either through voluntary actions or in compliance with legislation. Of this total, around 800 thousand hectares are located in the Amazon region,
  • Culture: through the Vale Cultural Institute, the company democratizes access to culture by supporting various projects in different regions of Brazil, such as the Vale Music Program, in addition to maintaining its own museums and cultural centers.
  • Social development: through the Vale Foundation, the company contributes to strengthening territories by supporting education, promoting basic healthcare, ensuring rights, and fostering social businesses.
Aerial view of a dirt road running through a dense forest. The forest is lush and green with various trees, some of which have yellow and purple flowers. The road is straight and appears to be well-maintained, cutting through the greenery on the left side of the image. There are no visible vehicles or people on the road.

Photo: Marcelo Coelho

See below some information about Vale’s operations in Brazil:

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Work at Vale: discover available job openings

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Suppliers: access information on how to become a supplier or partner with Vale

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Investor Relations: follow financial results, disclosures, and Vale’s market performance

Homem com óculos, protetor de ouvido e capacete, usando a camisa verde da Vale em frente a operação.

Photo: Marcelo Coelho

Frequently Asked Questions

Vale has strategic operations in Minas Gerais, Pará, Maranhão, Espírito Santo, and Rio de Janeiro, integrating mineral production, logistics infrastructure, and social and environmental initiatives.

Minas Gerais — the state where the company was founded (Itabira) and which hosts important mining complexes and operational projects (Southeast System)

Pará — the main operational hub, which includes Carajás and S11D, the company’s largest mining complex.

Maranhão — a strategic logistics corridor, with railways and port terminals for product shipment.

Espírito Santo — a port and pelletizing hub integrated with the Vitória a Minas Railway.

Rio de Janeiro — the company’s global headquarters, and operational and logistics assets.

Vale’s operations in the Amazon are connected to environmental preservation, respect for territories, and the sustainable development of the region. The company’s initiatives integrate biodiversity conservation, community strengthening, and long-term value generation.

Learn more about Vale’s operations in the Amazon.

Vale contributes to Brazilian society through a model that combines economic value generation, socio-environmental investments, and cultural promotion. Vale seeks to generate shared value and be a partner to the communities where it operates.

Learn more in the 2025 Integrated Report.

Yes. Vale operates two of Brazil’s long-distance passenger trains: on the Vitória a Minas Railway (EFVM) and the Carajás Railway (EFC). More than 1 million people travel each year on these railways.

Vale selects its suppliers according to demand and based on the principles set out in the Supplier Code of Ethics and Conduct, as well as technical criteria and analysis of aspects such as quality, price, and deadlines. The company provides a pre-registration through the link:

Click here to access the Supplier Portal

All official opportunities are centralized in our Job Portal. To apply, simply access Vale’s Job Portal, create your profile, upload your updated résumé, and search for available opportunities filtering by location, area of expertise, and seniority level. Then just select the desired position and click “Apply”. We recommend keeping your profile updated in our talent database to be found by our recruiters, even if there is no specific open position at the moment.