Emergency Action Plan

What is the Emergency Action Plan for Mining Dams (PAEBM or PAE)?

A document that defines immediate actions in emergency and aims to provide measures to minimize risk to communities and environmental impacts and cultural heritage.

All Vale dams in Brazil, included in the National Dam Safety Policy, as well as all dams included in the State Dam Safety Policy) include a Emergency Action Plan for Mining Dams (PAEBM) / Emergency Action Plan (PAE).

The plan is drawn up, developed, implemented, and managed in accordance with the requirements of the law and the emergency guidelines of civil protection and defense bodies.

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Photo: Vinicius Lira

PAEBM/PAE content

Structuring the PAEBM/PAE Document

Section I – Characterization of the PAEBM/PAE and all technical elements with a view to meeting the requirements of the supervisory entities identified by the National Dam Safety Policy (PNSB);
Section II – Civil Protection and Defense Actions in compliance with the requirements of Civil Defense agencies;
Section III – Actions for the protection and mitigation of environmental impacts such as wildlife rescue, water supply diagnosis, etc., in compliance with the requirements of environmental agencies;
Section IV – Actions for the preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage;
Section V – Actions necessary for the preservation and safeguarding of production animals (applicable only to dams in the state of Minas Gerais).

The PAEBM/PAE contains

Flood inundation area in the event of dam failure:

Representation of areas potentially affected in case of dam failure.
Geographical delimitation of the Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) and the Secondary Safety Zone (ZSS).

Flood Wave Arrival Times in potentially affected localities/communities:

Location of Meeting Points and Escape Routes.
Description of escape routes with distances to meeting points .

Location of Alert Systems (Sirens).

Guidelines on how to proceed if the alert system sounds.

Emergency Notification and Communication Flows.

Actions to Mitigate Environmental and Sociocultural Impacts:

Measures to contain or reduce damage to the environment.
Procedures to safeguard cultural heritage and preservation areas.

Measures to Guarantee the Supply of Potable Water.

Communication Channels for addressing and clarifying community questions:

Training Procedures, Internal and External Simulations, and Orientation Seminars.

Access the PAEBM/PAE

Only available in portuguese.

Understanding the Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) and Secondary Safety Zone (ZSS):

ZAS

Self-Rescue Zone

Section of the valley downstream from the dam where it is considered that issuing warnings to the population is the responsibility of the developer, as there is not enough time for intervention by the competent authorities in emergency situations, and the greater of the following distances should be adopted for its delimitation: the distance corresponding to a flood wave arrival time of 30 minutes or 10 km.

ZSS

Secondary Safety Zone

This is the area that could be impacted by a dam breach, but which is outside the Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS), allowing time for intervention by the authorities. The Secondary Rescue Zone is a concept used in Emergency Action Plans for Mining Dams (PAEBM/PAE). It represents the area that could be hit by a flood wave in the event of a dam breach.

Calendar of events

04/11 - Orientative Seminar on the PAEBM

Vale, in partnership with Civil Defense, will hold the Orientative Seminar on the Emergency Action Plan for Mining Dams covering the Campo Grande, Xingu, Dique Portaria, Dique PDE Fosforoso, Dique PDE Permanente I, and Dique PDE Permanente II structures, aimed at communities located in the Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS).

The seminar is an important opportunity to address questions, present the dam safety system, encourage community participation, and provide guidance on how to act in emergency situations, as well as prepare participants for the practical drill.

📅 Date: April 11th
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
📍Venue: Escola Municipal Sinhô Machado – Santa Rita Durão

Community participation is essential to strengthening a culture of prevention and safety.

For any questions, please contact the Mariana Civil Defense at (31) 3558-4412 or 199, or Vale at 0800 285 7000.

04/15 - Dam Emergency Drill – Itabira South Axis

On Wednesday, April 15, at 3:00 PM, Vale, in partnership with Civil Defense, will conduct the Dam Emergency Drill in Itabira, involving the Itabiruçu, Conceição, Rio do Peixe, Cambucal I, Cambucal II, and Pontal System dams.

The drill is an opportunity for the community to learn and practice safety procedures, understanding how to act in a potential emergency situation. Community participation is essential to strengthen a culture of prevention and contribute to the safety of all.

Participating regions and neighborhoods:

Abóboras, Água Fresca, Rural Area (Bálsamo), Rural Area (Rio do Peixe), Bálsamo, Bananal, Barro Branco, Bela Vista, Campestre, Conceição, Córrego dos Bálsamos, Engenho, Fênix, Flamboyant, Gabiroba, Gabiroba de Baixo, Jardim Belvedere, Jardim dos Ipês, João XXIII, Laboreaux, Machado, Morro dos Tocos, Nova Vista, Palmital, Praia, Ribeira de Baixo, Ribeira de Cima, Rio do Peixe, Santa Ruth, Vale do Sol, Vila Bethânia, and Vila Conceição de Baixo.

How to participate in the drill?

At the time of the drill, the emergency siren will be activated. Upon hearing the alert, residents are advised to calmly follow the evacuation route to the nearest meeting point, in accordance with the guidelines of the Emergency Action Plan for Mining Dams – PAEBM.

Important information

There has been no change in the safety conditions of the structures.
Vale's dams are monitored 24 hours a day and undergo regular inspections.
The emergency drill is a periodic activity, carried out in compliance with current legislation related to mining dam safety.

Together, we build a safer community every day.

Questions and contacts

For questions or further information, please contact:

Itabira Civil Defense: (31) 3839-2147 | (31) 98294-6273
Alô Vale: 0800 285 7000

Traffic impacts

Check here for the roads that will be affected by traffic during the drill.

05/09 - Dam Emergency Drill - Santa Rita Durão

Vale, in pOn May 9, 2026, at 10 a.m., Vale will conduct an emergency drill for the PDE Permanente I and PDE Permanente II dams. This initiative is part of the preventive measures adopted by the company to strengthen the safety culture and guide the community on how to respond in an emergency situation.

The drill is merely an exercise. There has been no change in the safety status of the structures, which continue to be monitored and inspected regularly.

During the drill, the emergency siren will sound, accompanied by an audio announcement stating that this is a simulated exercise. When you hear the siren, please remain calm and follow the evacuation route to the nearest assembly point, as indicated by the on-site signage. Trained staff will be stationed along the route to guide participants.

Safety also includes caring for animals

On the day of the drill, residents who wish to do so may bring their pets, keeping them under control at all times with a collar or leash. There is no need to bring large animals, as Vale has a specialized team prepared to rescue and care for these animals if necessary.

Information and Prevention

The drill is a way to prepare people who live in or visit the area by promoting information, prevention, and public safety. Community participation is essential to the success of the activity.

05/12 – Dam Safety Drill – Itabirito (inland)

On May 12th, starting at 11:00 AM, the Civil Defense of Itabirito and Vale will conduct a Safety Drill for the Maravilhas I, II, and III dams and Cianitas 1, 2, and 3, part of the Vargem Grande Complex, with meeting points located in Itabirito/MG.

To participate, when you hear the emergency sirens, simply make your way to the nearest Meeting Point — if you are within the ZAS (Self-Rescue Zone) of these structures.

The following communities are taking part in this drill: Rancho do Sossego and Retiro das Flores (Itabirito/MG).

The remaining surrounding communities will not be participating in this activity, and upon hearing the drill sirens, should continue their normal routine.

For questions or further information, please contact the Civil Defense of Itabirito at 3561-7433 or Vale's hotline (Alô Vale) at 0800 285 7000.

There has been no change in the safety status of the structures. Vale's dams are monitored 24 hours a day and inspected on a regular basis.

Main engagement actions undertaken to ensure the operational effectiveness of the PAEBM/PAE

Internal Training

Their objective is to contribute to maintaining the readiness of internal teams, promoting greater familiarity among those involved with the elements of the plan and with the responsibilities inherent to the PAEBM/PAE.

Orientation Seminar

Organized by the developer with the participation of representatives from the municipality, civil defense agencies, and the population present in the Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS), the aim is to disseminate safety procedures and discuss procedures to allow for an increasingly effective Emergency Action Plan for Mining Dams (PAEBM/PAE). This meeting includes the presentation of the flood map, dialogue with interested parties, and clarification of doubts.

Simulated Exercises

Organized by the Municipal Coordination of Civil Protection and Defense (COMPDEC) with the support of the entrepreneur, these inspections aim to contribute to maintaining the readiness of communities and internal workers present in the Special Security Zone (ZAS). They verify the effectiveness of emergency signage and the alert system, assess meeting points and the time it takes for people to leave the risk area, among other things. Community participation is fundamental.

Siren Test

Sirens undergo periodic testing, which can be audible and/or silent. During audible tests, a specific sound is emitted that differs from the signal used in real emergency situations. This allows residents to identify that it is just a test and not a real emergency.

Compliance and Operational Assessment (ACO) of the PAEBM/PAE

This assessment consists of verifying the minimum requirements established by current legislation (compliance) and demonstrating its effectiveness in the event of real emergency situations (operability). This assessment is formalized through the Compliance and Operability Report (RCO), prepared by a multidisciplinary team. Technical responsibility for the document must be assigned to legally qualified professionals, registered with CREA (Regional Council of Engineering and Agronomy), with the issuance of a Technical Responsibility Annotation (ART).

Additionally, a Declaration of Compliance and Operability (DCO) is issued, signed by the representative of the contracted auditing company and the legal representative of the entrepreneur, attesting that the Emergency Action Plan for Mining Dams (PAEBM/PAE) is compliant and operational. This declaration can be consulted on the website of the National Mining Agency (ANM).

Educational booklet on safety in areas with dams

Evaluation by an external multidisciplinary team of all elements forming the PAEBM to verify its operability. The external team is responsible for preparing the Compliance and Operationality Report of the PAEBM and issuing the Compliance and Operationality Declaration of the PAEBM.

Click to download the student booklets

Click to download the teacher booklets