Control and Management of Dams

Vale maintains its dam management in line with the best and most rigorous international practices, integrated with the movements of society and updated with the advances in legislation.
For this reason, we have intensified the monitoring of our structures and the assessments of their conservation status, in order to anticipate the problems through preventive and corrective measures.

An example of these ongoing efforts is the creation, since 2019, of three Geotechnical Monitoring Centers (CMG), which monitor the dams 24/7 to ensure useful information for better decision making.

 
 P Photo: Geotechnical Monitoring Center (CMG)hoto: Geotechnical Monitoring Center (CMG)
                                                                            Photo: Geotechnical Monitoring Center (CMG)
The use of new technologies is also noteworthy. Vale acts actively to increase ore recovery in the beneficiation process, reduce tailings, implement new disposal solutions and improve operational controls and dam safety management.
 

Emergency Management


In the Ferrous business, Vale's integrated risk management system for geotechnical structures is based on three main pillars:
 
Processes

Information Systems
There are two systems in the Ferrous business:

1) Geotechnical: stores structural maintenance and monitoring data;

2) GRG:

New technologies for dam monitoring:
 
Pessoas e comunidades
  • Identificação e indenização
  • Educação e cultura
  • Saúde e bem-estar
  • Comunidades tradicionais e indígenas
  • Engajamento e diálogo
  • Fomento à economia
    • 24-hour video monitoring;
    Pessoas e comunidades Pessoas e comunidades
    Water level monitoring in different points of the dam, with specific instruments;
  • Identificação e indenização
    Measuring the dam's response to seismic activity with specific instruments;
    Pessoas e comunidades
  • Identificação e indenização
  • Educação e cultura
  • Saúde e bem-estar
  • Comunidades tradicionais e indígenas
  • Engajamento e diálogo
  • Fomento à economia
    • Radars monitoring;
    Pessoas e comunidades
  • Identificação e indenização
  • Educação e cultura
  • Saúde e bem-estar
  • Comunidades tradicionais e indígenas
  • Engajamento e diálogo
  • Fomento à economia
    • Use of satellite and drone images to monitor soil conservation and displacement;
     
    Pessoas e comunidades
  • Identificação e indenização
  • Educação e cultura
  • Saúde e bem-estar
  • Comunidades tradicionais e indígenas
  • Engajamento e diálogo
  • Fomento à economia
    • Installation of sirens.

    Dams emergency levels:

    Emergency situations are considered those arising from adverse events that affect the dam safety and may cause damage to its structural and operational integrity, preservation of life, health, property and environment. The emergency should be assessed and classified according to the levels below:
     
    予期しないエラーが発生しました。
    Level of Emergency
    Detailment
    Comunication to
    Vale’s structures
    When an anomaly is detected that results in the maximum score for the state of conservation or for any other situation with a potential compromise in the safety of the structure, requiring special daily inspections.
    the Brazilian National Mining Agency (ANM), environmental agencies and Civil Defense (national, state and municipal).
    Immediate actions:

     signaling instability and intensifying monitoring.Immediate actions:
    Immediate actions:     signaling instability and intensifying monitoring. signaling instability and intensifying monitoring.

    DamsDams:  5-Mutuca, 6, 7A, B, B3/B4, Campo Grande,  Dicão Leste, Doutor, Maravilhas II, Norte/Laranjeiras,  Peneirinha, Pontal,  Vargem Grande, Dique de Pedra.

    :  5-Mutuca, 6, 7A, B, B3/B4, Campo Grande,  Dicão Leste, Doutor, Maravilhas II, Norte/Laranjeiras,  Peneirinha, Pontal,  Vargem Grande, Dique de Pedra.
    When the result of the actions taken in the anomaly referred to in Level 1When the result of the actions taken in the anomaly referred to in  is classified as “uncontrolled” or “not extinguished”, requiring new special inspections and interventions.Level 1 is classified as “uncontrolled” or “not extinguished”, requiring new special inspections and interventions.
    the ANM, environmental agencies, Civil Defense (national, state and municipal), Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) and Secondary Safety Zone (ZSS)
    Immediate actions: from that level, people in the ZAS are evacuated.
    Dams: Forquilha I, Forquilha II, Grupo, Xingu.
    Situation of imminent or ongoing rupture.
    the ANM, environmental agencies, Civil Defense (national, state and municipal), ZAS and ZSS.
    Immediate actions: Care is extended to people who are in the ZSS through additional educational measures.
    Dams: Forquilha III, Sul Superior.
                                      ¹Updated on 12/29/2023
                                      ¹Updated on 12/29/2023
    Emergency Level updated on 12/29/2023
    Increase in Emergency Level
      Unchanged Emergency Level
      • Quantity: 19
      • Structure: -
      Increase in Emergency LevelDecrease in Emergency Level
      • Quantity: 1
      • Structure:  The emergency level of the Dique de Pedra dam was reduced from 2 to 1.
      Emergency Level updated on 12/29/2023
      Quantity
      Structure
      -
      -
      19
      -
      1
      Emergency level decrease for Dique de Pedra

      List of structures at emergency level

      Structures with upstream lifting method

      Iron Ore

      Structure



      Operational Status



      Municipality


      Purpose


      DCE


      Emergency Level



      Emergency level date
      Área IX
      In de-characterization
      Ouro Preto
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      09/31/2023
      B3/B4
      In de-characterization
      Nova Lima
      Tailings
      Negative
      1
      10/10/2023
      Campo Grande
      In de-characterization
      Mariana
      Tailings
      Negative
      1
      04/01/2019
      Doutor
      In de-characterization
      Ouro Preto
      Tailings
      Negative
      1
      05/18/2021
      ED Monjolo
      In de-characterization
      Santa Bárbara
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      ED Vale das Cobras
      In de-characterization
      Rio Piracicaba
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Forquilha I
      In de-characterization
      Ouro Preto
      Tailings
      Negative
      2
      10/08/2020
      Forquilha II
      In de-characterization
      Ouro Preto
      Tailings
      Negative
      2
      02/20/2019
      Forquilha III
      In de-characterization
      Ouro Preto
      Tailings
      Negative
      3
      03/27/2019
      Grupo
      In de-characterization
      Ouro Preto
      Tailings
      Negative
      2
      02/20/2019
      Sistema 5 - MAC
      In de-characterization
      Nova Lima
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      10/03/2022
      Sistema Conceição
      Active
      Itabira
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Sistema Pontal
      In de-characterization
      Itabira
      Tailings
      Negative
      1
      03/31/2019
      Sul Superior
      In de-characterization
      Barão de Cocais
      Tailings
      Negative
      3
      03/22/2019
      Vargem Grande
      In de-characterization
      Nova Lima
      Tailings
      Negative
      1
      06/04/2019
      Xingu
      In de-characterization
      Mariana
      Tailings
      Negative
      2
      09/29/2020

      Structures with downstream lifting method

      Iron Ore


      Structure



      Operational Status



      Municipality



      Purpose



      DCE



      Emergency Level



      Emergency level date
      5 - Mutuca
      Inactive
      Nova Lima
      Tailings
      Positive
      1
      07/29/2020
      Alcindo Vieira
      Active
      Itabira
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Azul
      Active
      Parauapebas
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Barnabé
      Active
      Congonhas
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Barragem de Rejeito do Mirim
      Active
      Marabá
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Barragem de Rejeitos do Sossego
      Active
      Canaã dos Carajás
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Cambucal I
      Active
      Itabira
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Cambucal II
      Active
      Itabira
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Capão da Serra
      Active
      Nova Lima
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Capim Branco
      Active
      Brumadinho
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      03/31/2021
      Cemig I
      Active
      Itabira
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Cemig II
      Active
      Itabira
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Dicão
      Active
      São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Diogo
      Active
      Rio Piracicaba
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Galego
      Inactive
      Sabará
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Gelado
      Active
      Parauapebas
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Itabiruçu
      Active
      Itabira
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      02/23/2021
      Kalunga
      Active
      Parauapebas
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Maravilhas I
      Active
      Itabirito
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Maravilhas II
      Inactive
      Itabirito
      Tailings
      Negative
      1
      04/01/2019
      Monjolo
      Active
      Santa Bárbara
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Mosquito
      Active
      Catas Altas
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Peneirinha
      Inactive
      Nova Lima
      Tailings
      Positive
      1
      04/01/2020
      Piabas
      Active
      Itabira
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Santana
      Active
      Itabira
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      10/03/2020
      Sul (Córrego do Canal)
      Active
      São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -

      Structures with sigle step, center line or unknown raising method

      Iron Ore

      Structure
      nbsp;Negative 



      Municipality


      Purpose


      DCE


      Emergency Level



      Emergency level date
      6
      Inactive
      Nova Lima
      Sediments
       Negative 
      1
      06/09/2020
      7A
      Inactive
      Nova Lima
      Sediments
      Negative
      1
      06/09/2020
      7B
      Inactive
      Nova Lima
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Alto Jacutinga
      Active
      Congonhas
      Sediments
      N/A
      1
      -
      B
      Inactive
      Santa Bárbara
      Sediments
      Negative
      -
      04/01/2019
      B3
      Active
      Rio Piracicaba
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      B6
      Active
      Nova Lima
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      B7
      Active
      Nova Lima
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Barnabé 1
      Active
      Congonhas
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Barragem 7
      Active
      Jeceaba
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Barragem de Finos II
      Active
      Marabá
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Barragem de Rejeitos do Sossego
      Active
      Canaã dos Carajás
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Borrachudo
      In de-characterization
      Itabira
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Borrachudo II
      Active
      Itabira
      Sediments
      N/A
      -
      -
      Cata Branca
      In de-characterization
      Itabirito
      Sediments
       Positive 
      -
      -
      Horizontes
      Inactive
      Nova Lima
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      03/31/2023
      Cianita 1
      Active
      Nova Lima
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Cianita 2
      Active
      Nova Lima
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Cianita 3
      Active
      Nova Lima
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Dicão
      Active
      São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      -
      Dicão Leste
      Active
      Mariana
      Sediments
      Negative
      1
      -
      Dique de Finos I
      Active
      Marabá
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Dique de Finos II
      Active
      Marabá
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Dique de Finos III
      Active
      Marabá
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Dique de Pedra
      Inactive
      Ouro Preto
      Sediments
      Negative
      1
      12/23/2023
      Elefante
      Active
      Rio Piracicaba
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      01/25/2022
      Estéril Sul
      Active
      Parauapebas
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Forquilha IV
      Inactive
      Ouro Preto
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      11/30/2021
      Forquilha V
      Active
      Parauapebas
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Geladinho
      Active
      Parauapebas
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      III
      Active
      Nova Lima
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      III
      Active
      Nova Lima
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Jacaré
      Active
      Parauapebas
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Jirau
      Active
      Itabira
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Maravilhas III
      Active
      Itabirito
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Marés I
      Active
      Belo Vale
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      12/15/2021
      Marés II
      Inactive
      Belo Vale
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      10/03/2022
      Menezes I
      Inactive
      Brumadinho
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Menezes II
      Inactive
      Brumadinho
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      03/31/2021
      Norte/Laranjeiras
      Inactive
      Barão de Cocais
      Tailings
       Negative 
      1
      11/30/2021
      PDE 3
      Active
      São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      09/05/2023
      PDE Fosforoso
      Active
      Mariana
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      PDE Permanente I
      Active
      Mariana
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      PDE Permanente II - Fase I
      Active
      Mariana
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Pera Jusante
      Active
      Parauapebas
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Pera Montante
      In de-characterization
      Parauapebas
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Porteirinha
      Active
      Santa Bárbara
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      11/16/2022
      Principal
      Inactive
      Santa Bárbara
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Quinzinho
      Active
      Itabira
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Rio do Peixe (Barragem)
      Active
      Itabira
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      Serrinha
      Inactive
      Brumadinho
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Sul Inferior
      Inactive
      Barão de Cocais
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      10/10/2022
      Taquaras
      Active
      Nova Lima
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      03/31/2021
      Timbopeba
      Active
      Ouro Preto
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -
      VI
      Inactive
      Brumadinho
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      09/30/2020
      VII
      Inactive
      Brumadinho
      Sediments
      Positive
      -
      -
      Torto
      Active
      Barão de Cocais
      Tailings
      Positive
      -
      -

      List of structures at emergency level



       

      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      5 - Mutuca
      • Business unit: Iron ore
      • Operational Status: Inactive
      • Municipality: Nova Lima
      • Purpose: Tailings
      • DCE: Positive
      • Emergency Level: 1
      • Emergency level date: 07/29/2020
      Maravilhas II
      2
      • Emergency level date:
      • 02/20/2019 Business unit:
      Iron ore
    • Operational Status: Inactive
    • Municipality: Itabirito
    • Purpose: Tailings
    • DCE: Negative
    • Emergency Level: 1
    • Emergency level date: 04/01/2019
      • Peneirinha
      • Business unit: Iron ore
      • Operational Status: Inactive
      • Municipality: Nova Lima
      • Purpose: Tailings
      • DCE: Negative
      • Emergency Level: 1
      • Emergency level date: 04/01/2020

      Structures with sigle step, center line or unknown raising method

      6
      • Business unit: Iron ore
      • Operational Status: Inactive
      • Municipality: Nova Lima
      • Purpose: Sediments
      • DCE: Negative
      • Emergency Level: 1
      • Emergency level date: 06/09/2020
      7A
      • Business unit: Iron ore
      • Operational Status: Inactive
      • Municipality: Nova Lima
      • Purpose: Sediments
      • DCE: Negative
      • Emergency Level: 1
      • Emergency level date: 06/09/2020
      B
      • Business unit: Iron ore
      • Operational Status: Inactive
      • Municipality: Nova Lima
      • Purpose: Sediments
      • DCE: Negative
      • Emergency Level: 1
      • Emergency level date: 04/01/2019
      Dicão Leste
      • Business unit: Iron ore
      • Operational Status: Active
      • Municipality: Mariana
      • Purpose: Sediments
      • DCE: Positive
      • Emergency Level: 1
      • Emergency level date: 09/30/2022
      Dique Pedra
      • Business unit: Iron ore
      • Operational Status: Inactive
      • Municipality: Ouro Preto
      • Purpose: Tailings
      • DCE: Negative
      • Emergency Level: 1
      • Emergency level date: 12/23/2023
      Norte Laranjeiras
      • Business unit: Iron ore
      • Operational Status: Inactive
      • Municipality: Barão de Cocais
      • Purpose: Tailings
      • DCE: Negative
      • Emergency Level: 1
      • Emergency level date: 11/30/2021

      Additional document:

      Measures for emergency level structures


      For the 13 structures with active level 1 emergency protocols, Vale has intensified actions for monitoring and signaling instability, in addition to carrying out studies, actions and complementary works to improve safety, as appropriate.

      The 8 structures with active levels 2 and 3 emergency protocols had their respective Self-Rescue Zones¹ evacuated on a preventive basis, with the removal and relocation of families residing downstream from the structures (when applicable). In these cases, Vale adopts measures to strengthen stability and safety conditions, such as keeping the reservoirs dry, reducing water supply, and implementing by-pass channels.

      Vale also maintains containment structures downstream of dams in critical conditions to prevent tailings from reaching the Secondary Safety Zone² of the municipalities in an extreme hypothetical scenario of rupture.
       
      • In 2020, two containment structures were completed downstream the Sul Superior dams, in Barão de Cocais, and B3/B4 in Nova Lima (MG).

         
      ECJ ³ B3/B4 33m height | 221m length
       
      ECJ ³ Sul Superior 36m height | 330m length
      ECJ ³ B3/B4 33m height | 221m lengthECJ ³ B3/B4 33m height | 221m length
      • In 2021, Vale completed the containment structure downstream the Forquilhas I, II, III, IV and Grupo dams, in Ouro Preto (MG).
      • In 2021, Vale completed the containment structure downstream the Forquilhas I, II, III, IV and Grupo dams, in Ouro Preto (MG).
      • In 2022, Vale will complete the construction of one containment structure downstream the Pontal tailings and storage facilities, in Itabira (MG), related to the Dikes Minervino e Cordão Nova Vista.
      • We are currently working on defining the solutions to implement two other downstream containment structure in Minas Gerais.
      • Use of remotely operated equipment to remove tailings in critical TSFs.

         

      Note : Self-Rescue Zones: Region where there is not enough time for the competent authorities to intervene in emergency situations. For its delimitation, a distance that corresponds to a time of arrival of the flood wave equal to thirty minutes or 10 km must be adopted. ² Secondary Safety Zones: Region contained in the Flood Map and which cannot be defined as ZAS. ³ ECJ = Upstream Tailing Storage Facility (TSF).


      Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) for Mining Dams


      Part of the Dam Safety Plan (PSB), EPRP is a technical document filed with city halls and Civil Defenses (municipal, state, and federal) and which defines immediate actions in case of emergency.

      Objectives:
      • Avoid or minimize loss of lives, social, economic and environmental impacts;
         
      • Identify and classify situations and/or events that may jeopardize the integrity of the dam's structure;
         
      • Establish emergency actions;
         
      • Inform the flow of communication with the various agents involved.
      EPRPs for Vale’s structures are submitted to the City Halls, Civil Defenses and the Minas Gerais State environmental bodies.
       

      Content of EPRP


      Community engagement:
       

      So that residents near the dams know how to react in emergency situations.

      • Conducting simulations with communities;
         
      • Partnership with the Civil Defense;
         
      • Siren and alert systems;
         
      Related parties:

      予期しないエラーが発生しました。

      Security Team

      Group formed by professionals from the entrepreneur's own staff or by professionals contracted specifically for this purpose.
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。

      Geotechnical Monitoring Center

      Team of the entrepreneur which continuously monitors the dam and performs the actions previously established for emergency situations.
      Definition of areas close to dams:

      Used to classify the surrounding populations in case of emergencies.
       

      Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS)

      Region where there is not enough time for the competent authorities to intervene in emergency situations. For its delimitation, a distance that corresponds to a time of arrival of the flood wave equal to thirty minutes or 10 km must be adopted.Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) Region where there is not enough time for the competent authorities to intervene in emergency situations. For its delimitation, a distance that corresponds to a time of arrival of the flood wave equal to thirty minutes or 10 km must be adopted.

      Secondary Safety Zone (ZSS)

      Region contained in the Flood Map and which cannot be defined as ZAS.

      Expected Actions Flow - EPRP:
       
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      1.
      Safety and Operational Excellence Office reporting to the CEO;
      2.
      Risk management composed of 3 lines of defense;
      3.
      Creation of the Independent Special Advisory Committee on Dam Safety (CIAESB)¹, which reports directly to the Board of Directors;
      4.
      Formation of a specific Risk Committee for geotechnical risks;
      5.
      Additional strengthening to increase the safety factor of the dams;
      7.
      Restructuring of its mining dam and tailings management system.
      1.
      Safety and Operational Excellence Office reporting to the CEO;
      2.
      Risk management composed of 3 lines of defense;
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      4.
      Formation of a specific Risk Committee for geotechnical risks;
      5.
      Additional strengthening to increase the safety factor of the dams;
      Operational Status:6. Inactive
    • Municipality:Implementation of the Geotechnical Monitoring Center (CMG); Nova Lima
      		•
      7.
      Restructuring of its mining dam and tailings management system.
      Note : ¹ In April 2021, the Independent Ad Hoc Consulting Committee for Dam Safety “CIAE-SB”, created immediately after the dam rupture, completed its work, and provided its final report to our Board of Directors. We continue with our work on dam safety, now conducted by the Independent Tailings Review Board (ITRB), composed by the former CIAE-SB members, among others, in line with the best international practices and with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management– GISTM. We have developed action plans to address all CIAE-SB recommendations, which are regularly assessed in a multiple layer system and delays must be justified and approved by senior leadership.
      Safety, health, and operational excellence Area reporting to the CEO
      • Department led by an Executive Director who defines technical parameters;
      • Support the use of standard risk and asset management models by the operational area;
      • Focus on standards and procedures;
      • Independent and transparent audit;
      • Office dedicated to Geotechnics, focusing on the adoption of best practices.
      Business areas and functional units
      • Responsible for the management and safety in operations;
      • Comply with operational excellence guidelines;
      • Asset risk management reports;
      • Ensure technical expertise within the operational teams;
      • Mandatory VPS (Vale Production System).

      Safety, health, and operational excellence Area reporting to the CEO
      Business areas and functional units
      • Department led by an Executive Director who defines technical parameters;
      • Support the use of standard risk and asset management models by the operational area;
      • Focus on standards and procedures;
      • Independent and transparent audit;
      • Office dedicated to Geotechnics, focusing on the adoption of best practices.
      • Responsible for the management and safety in operations;
      • Comply with operational excellence guidelines;
      • Asset risk management reports;
      • Ensure technical expertise within the operational teams;
      • Mandatory VPS (Vale Production System).

      Routine, Performance and Risk Management System (RPR)

      Vale's RPR is intended to cover all aspects relevant to the safety of a dam or tailings deposit.

      In this system, the following management processes are monitored:
       
      • routine applied to the structure, through operational discipline;
      • performance of the geotechnical asset, made possible by continuous and formal monitoring by the Engineer of Record;
      • risks, through the identification of failure modes and their critical controls, insertion and monitoring via the business risk management platform.

      Risk management of tailings dams

       The governance and the updating of dam defense lines increase the flow of data within the company, allowing information related to risks and safety to be constantly reviewed and reach senior management.

      Strong governance and oversight for TSF¹ management supported by tailored executive compensation
           
            Executive compensation
       
             
      • 35-60%       Executive compensation of short-term variable compensation tied to Health & Safety, Operational Risk and VPS targets
        •  
      • The Safety and Operational Excellence Office has 

      Note : ¹ TSF stands for Tailings Storage Facility, with criteria agreed by the International Council on Mining and Metals’ Tailings Advisory Group in response to the Church of England information request, which may differ from the Brazilian National Mining Agency criteria. ² A requirement by the Global Standard Industry on Tailings Management.

      The risk management of Vale's tailings dams is fully aligned with the company's Management Model (VPS), divided into three levels:


      •    TechnincalBasic geotechnical guidelines;
      • Operational discipline;

        • Basic geotechnical guidelines;
        • Operational discipline;
        • Standards for minimum activities and routines;
        • Elaboration of 25 normative standards;
        • Elaboration of a policy for dam safety;
        • Integration of geotechnical risks with the BRM;
        • Project governance;
        • Minimum requirements.

        Standards for minimum activities and routines;
      • Elaboration of 25 normative standards;
      • Elaboration of a policy for dam safety;
      • Integration of geotechnical risks with the BRM;
      • Project governance;

      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。

      Indicators

      Note : ¹ HIRA stands for Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment methodology. ² TSF stands for Tailings Storage Facility. ³ Includes Vale’s own facilities and excludes non-operated joint ventures. ⁴ Considering the maximum number of structures at emergency level in 2020.​


      The system follows the Three Lines of Defense:
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      In addition to the 3 conventional lines, Vale's new Risk Management system was designed with the incorporation of additional and redundant layers. The objective is to increase the number of lines and layers of defense to 8. The figure below illustrates all the layers that make up the system:

       
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      Common gaps and focus areas
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      Pessoas e comunidadesEducação e cultura
    • Educação e cultura
    • Saúde e bem-estar
    • Comunidades tradicionais e indígenas
    • Engajamento e diálogo
    • Fomento à economia
    • Identificação e indenização
    • Educação e cultura
    • Saúde e bem-estar
    • Comunidades tradicionais e indígenas
    • Engajamento e diálogo
    • Fomento à economia
      • Seismic studies;
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      Social community engagement and communication;
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      AE engagement;
      Pessoas e comunidades
    • Fomento à economia
    • Identificação e indenização
    • Educação e cultura
    • Saúde e bem-estar
    • Comunidades tradicionais e indígenas
    • Engajamento e diálogo
    • Fomento à economia
      • Design Basis Report;
      Pessoas e comunidades
    • Identificação e indenização
    • Educação e cultura
    • Saúde e bem-estar
    • Comunidades tradicionais e indígenas
    • Engajamento e diálogo
    • Fomento à economia
      • 予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      Establishment of mechanism to recognize, reward, and protect employees who identify and report opportunities for improving TSF management ;
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      予期しないエラーが発生しました。
      Affected communities Affected communities
      • Grievance Global Standard released on October 30, 2020;

      • Human Rights Global Policy and Global Standard Procedure for engagement with Indigenous People and Traditional Communities;

      • Brazilian legislation requires FPIC;

      • All process that requires EPRP review has an Indigenous and Quilombola component.

      Integrated knowledge baseAffected communities

      • The EPRP¹ registers the project-affected people (socio-economic and environmental);
        • Grievance Global Standard released on October 30, 2020;
        • The most at-risk groups are also identified;

        • Design, construc-tion, operation & monitoring

        • Consequence of failure classification being reviewed in accordance with GISTM;

        • Addressing brittle failure modes with conservative design criteria (implementation of backup dams for the critical upstream TSF);

        • Design Basis Report prepared by EoR’s;

        • HIRA to assess risks and critical controls, geotechnical monitoring centers with TARPS.

        Management and governance

        予期しないエラーが発生しました。

        Emergency response and long-term recovery

        • EPRP¹ publicly disclosed;

        • Engagement with public sector agencies in post-failure response strategies;

        • Brumadinho reparation enabling participation of the affected people in the restoration and recovery works and ongoing monitoring activities.

        Public disclosure and access to information

        • GISTM implementation commitment disclosed at the ESG Portal;

        • ESG Portal under frequent review to accommodate all the TSF and information requested;

        • Monthly EoR reports publicly disclosed.

        Affected communities

        • Grievance Global Standard released on October 30, 2020;

        • Human Rights Global Policy and Global Standard Procedure for engagement with Indigenous People and Traditional Communities;

        • Brazilian legislation requires FPIC;

        • All process that requires EPRP review has an Indigenous and Quilombola component.

        Integrated knowledge base

        予期しないエラーが発生しました。

        Design, construc-tion, operation & monitoring

        • Consequence of failure classification being reviewed in accordance with GISTM;

        • Addressing brittle failure modes with conservative design criteria (implementation of backup dams for the critical upstream TSF);

        • Design Basis Report prepared by EoR’s;

        • HIRA to assess risks and critical controls, geotechnical monitoring centers with TARPS.

        Management and governance

        • Policies, systems and accountabilities completely reviewed;

        Emergency response and long-term recovery

        • EPRP¹ publicly disclosed;

        • Engagement with public sector agencies in post-failure response strategies;

        • Brumadinho reparation enabling participation of the affected people in the restoration and recovery works and ongoing monitoring activities.

        Public disclosure and access to information

        • GISTM implementation commitment disclosed at the ESG Portal;

        • ESG Portal under frequent review to accommodate all the TSF and information requested;

        • Monthly EoR reports publicly disclosed.

        Note: ¹ Emergency Action Plans for Mining Dams

        As per the GISTM adherence timeline, the gap-assessment process started in mid-2021 through a self-assessment conducted for all Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF’s). To give more robustness to this self-diagnosis process, an external gap-assessment service was contracted for a sample of 10 TSF’s selected to represent the external audit work. This work served as a reference to more faithfully establishing the starting point for elaborating action plans to comply with the GISTM requirements. For further information about the process, its results and the journey for full adherence to GISTM access:
        Learn about other Vale's ongoing initiatives to support the GISTM implementation:
        Pessoas e comunidades
      • Identificação e indenização
      • Educação e cultura
      • Saúde e bem-estar
      • Comunidades tradicionais e indígenas
      • Engajamento e diálogo
      • Fomento à economia
        • Organizational structure, qualification and requirements, assessment by EoR (Engineer on Record), and risk analysis, policies and processes;
        Pessoas e comunidades
      • Identificação e indenização
      • Educação e cultura
      • Saúde e bem-estar
      • Comunidades tradicionais e indígenas
      • Engajamento e diálogo
      • Fomento à economia
        • Cultural transformation as a key element in the management process;
        Pessoas e comunidades
      • Identificação e indenização
      • Educação e cultura
      • Saúde e bem-estar
      • Comunidades tradicionais e indígenas
      • Engajamento e diálogo
      • Fomento à economia
        • Formalization of key normative documents and standardization;
        Pessoas e comunidades
      • Identificação e indenização
      • Educação e cultura
      • Saúde e bem-estar
      • Comunidades tradicionais e indígenas
      • Engajamento e diálogo
      • Fomento à economia
        • Public Disclosure, transparency and information dissemination.
        Vale reiterates its commitment to safety, transparency and the adoption of the known best practices for managing its tailings facilities.

        Improvements and initiatives to reduce the use of dams


        Vale plans to significantly reduce the use of dams and will invest in alternatives which allow wet processing operations to be replaced by safer and more sustainable processes. 
        In 2022, Vale reached an approximate 79% share of dry processing production compared to 40% in 2014.

         

        Viable Solutions

        Dry processing

        Compared to wet processing, the technique reduces total water consumption by 93% (on average) and increases productivity due to greater resource savings, less energy consumption, fewer production phases, less equipment and simpler and safer operation.
        Compared to wet processing, the technique reduces total water consumption by 93% (on average) and increases productivity due to greater resource savings, less energy consumption, fewer production phases, less equipment and simpler and safer operation.
        •  In Pará, about 80% of production is already dry-processing based;
           
        • The main plant in Carajás (Pará) is in process of converting to natural moisture. Out of the plant's 17 processing lines, 11 are already dry. The remaining 6 wet processing lines will be converted by 2023;
           
        •  Processing plants in Curionópolis and Canaã dos Carajás (both in Pará) also do not use water to treat the ore;
           
        • In Minas Gerais, it started the operation of the Itabira Complex (Cauê and Conceição) and Brucutu filtration plants, the second and third of four plants under construction in this state.

        Iron ore production by method Mt

        Dry stacking
         
        The technique will reduce Vale's dependence on tailings dams in the medium and long term. It consists of filtering and stacking partially dewatered tailings.
        • Investment of around US$2,223 million between 2019 and 2027 in some of our sites, including Vargem Grande Complex, Itabira Complex and Brucutu, to be operated with tailings filtration systems and dry stacking tailings disposal.
        Cultural transformation as a key element in the management process;
        Eliminates the use of water in the concentration process, allowing the waste to be disposed of in piles as “sterile”, similar to the dry stacking process.
         Target of investing in the construction, in Minas Gerais, of an industrial plant for magnetic concentration with a production capacity of 1.5 million tons per year -  the world’s first industrial-scale dry magnetic fines concentration plant;

         
      • The Brazilian technology is known as Fines Dry Magnetic Separation - FDMS, exclusive and developed by New Steel; and
         
      • Project start-up expected for 2024 in the Vargem Grande complex.
        •  Target of investing in the construction, in Minas Gerais, of an industrial plant for magnetic concentration with a production capacity of 1.5 million tons per year -  the world’s first industrial-scale dry magnetic fines concentration plant;
         
      • The Brazilian technology is known as Fines Dry Magnetic Separation - FDMS, exclusive and developed by New Steel; and
         
      • Project start-up expected for 2024 in the Vargem Grande complex.

        • read-also

        Brumadinho

        Follow the progress of our reparation efforts

        Read more

        Occupational Health and Safety

        Safety is the cornerstone of operational excellence

        Read more