Our Management Approach

The waste generated in Vale's production process is classified into two categories: mining - metallurgical waste and industrial waste. Each category has specific regulations, as well as different management and disposal methods.

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Waste categories

Mining waste

Industrial waste

Waste categories:

Mining wastes: those generated by the activies of research, extraction or ores treatment, including tailings.

Industrial Waste: includes materials such as scrap rubber, plastics, wood and metals, used oils, contaminated materials, food leftovers, among others. The annual volume produced is 658.5 metric tons in 2025.

This division is crucial due to the scale of generation, especially because of the different management and disposal methods for mining - metallurgical waste, which are directly linked to mineral reserves and the technologies adopted in mining, ore beneficiation, and metallurgy processes. Waste management and utilization are significant challenges in the mining sector.

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Mining - Metallurgical Waste

In 2020, we published our Mining and Metallurgical Waste Management Policy, establishing guidelines on enhanced waste management and committing investments for our transition to an innovative circular mining approach that can unlock new value chains and maximize value from waste.

This policy is revised at least every three years or as otherwise needed and is structured around three areas of action: implementing best optimization and processing practices at each mining stage; investing in R&D and technology, including new value chains for tailings and slag; and implementing dry processing where permitted by geological conditions.

Our dry processing model utilizes the natural moisture contained in the ore. We perform monthly reviews of data on mining - metallurgical waste production, disposal and value recovery, with reports generated by both internal and external stakeholders.

Where no value recovery option is available, tailings are disposed of in dams in accordance with Vale’s Dam Safety and Geotechnical Mining Structures Policy. See here for further information on dam management and dam safety.

Vale continues to invest in solutions to reduce our dependence on new dams and additional dam raises. The company's iron ore production in Brazil in 2025 already accounts for more than 65% of processing at natural moisture-based, without with no tailings generation. Of the remaining portion, 28% had all generated tailings filtered and dry stacked, 14% disposed of tailings in mined-out pits, and 58% used tailings dams for at least part of the tailings generated. In short, Vale has advanced with technology and safety, such that 81% of Vale’s iron ore production did not depend on dams for tailings storage by 2025.

In 2025, the Waste to Value program produced 26.3 Mt of iron ore from circular sources, up 107% from 2024, demonstrating that circular mining is a sustainable business opportunity for the Company.

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Foto: Arquivo Vale

Industrial Waste

Vale manages its waste through the Vale Waste Management Plan, a global standard that defines the technical guidelines for proper waste management. This plan focuses on minimization, segregation, traceability, valuation, and appropriate disposal, in addition to incentivize job and income generation through recycling practices.

Based on the Vale Waste Management Plan and legal requirements, operational units establish and implement a Waste Management Program tailored to each local reality. This program adopts indicators and goals that promote sustainable waste disposal, primarily including non-generation, composting encouragement, reuse, re-refining, and recycling, valuing its utilization, and avoiding landfill disposal.

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Training and Environmental Education

A fundamental guideline of the Vale Waste Management Plan is the training and environmental education of employees and contractors. In 2023, a training program was developed and made available to everyone, aiming to be a tool for changing attitudes both internally and externally. To date, more than 27,000 employees had been trained, focusing on non-generation and proper segregation at the source, and actions that enable other stages of the waste valorization process within the company.

Waste Recipient Audit Program

Since 2005, Vale has maintained the Waste Recipient Audit Program. This program aims to control risks related to waste disposal and, at the same time, develop new suppliers and sustainable disposal technologies. More than 250 companies undergo a rigorous environmental assessment and audit process at least every three years. These audits ensure that the recipients companies are complying with environmental standards and the sustainability practices required by Vale, promoting responsible and effective waste management.

The Vale Waste Management Plan reflects Vale's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. By adopting practices that minimize environmental impact and promote a circular economy, the company contributes to a more sustainable and conscious future.