This month, Vale completed the de-characterization of another structure built using the upstream method, Dike 2 of the Pontal System, located at the Cauê Mine in Itabira (MG). This is the 13th structure of this type to be eliminated by Vale in Brazil since 2019, and the sixth to be de-characterized in the municipality. With this, the company has completed more than 40% of the 30 structures to be eliminated in the de-characterization program, as they were built using the same method as the Brumadinho dam. 

Dike 2 has not received any tailings since 2019, and the de-characterization work generated approximately 200 jobs, both direct and outsourced, with priority given to hiring local workers.  

Dike 2 was the sixth upstream structure to be removed in Itabira, out of a total of ten dams included in the de-characterization program. In September 2022, the Ipoema dam at Mina do Meio and Dike 3, also in the Pontal system, had already been removed. Previously, dams 4 and 5 of the Pontal system and the Rio do Peixe dam were de-characterized. 

Furthermore, to increase safety and reduce the impact in case of an emergency, a downstream containment structure (ECJ) was built as a precautionary measure for the works to eliminate the Minervino and Cordão Nova Vista dams at the Pontal dam. The Coqueirinho ECJ, as it is called, like the others built by Vale, complies with the regulations of the National Mining Agency (ANM) regarding the adoption of measures to increase safety during the de-characterization phase. 

The B3/B4 dam, located at the Mar Azul mine in Nova Lima (MG), had its emergency level reduced from 2 to 1 by the National Mining Agency this Monday night (9/10). The progress of the de-characterization process, with the removal of approximately 85% of the reservoir's contents, led to an improvement in the dam's stability conditions and made it possible to reduce the emergency level, as required by current legislation.

Despite the improvement in the dam's stability conditions, in a joint decision with the Municipal and State Civil Defense, and in compliance with the regulations of the National Mining Agency (ANM), the structure's self-rescue zone (ZAS), now at Emergency Level 1, must remain evacuated as a preventive and safety measure. As such, there will be no return of families or release of access at this time.

The B3/B4 dam is one of 18 upstream dams still to be eliminated by Vale and is part of the company's de-characterization program. As of 2019, 12 of the 30 planned structures have already been eliminated (nine in Minas Gerais and three in Pará), representing 40% of the total. The Company expects to complete the elimination of the 13th structure this month.

Click here to read the full press release (available only in Portuguese).

Fulfilling the commitment assumed with the ICMM, with society and its employees, Vale has implemented GISTM in 48 of its 50 tailings storage facilities (TSFs), 35 of which are in the Ferrous business unit in Brazil and 13 in the Base Metals business unit (11 in Canada and 2 in Brazil). The two remaining Ferrous TSFs in Brazil have a lower consequence classification and it will comply with the standard by August 2025, following the criteria of the Conformance Protocols defined by ICMM. The 48 compliant TSFs meet the GISTM requirements, and some of them have action plans in place according to the Conformance Protocols.

To access the complete Press Release, click here.

Vale informs that the Declarations of Conformity and Operability ("DCO") of the Emergency Action Plans for Mining Dams ("PAEBM") have been denied for four of its structures, namely Monjolo, ED Monjolo, Porteirinha (Piracicaba River, MG) and Dam 7 (Jeceaba, MG), in accordance with Resolution No. 95/2022 of the National Mining Agency (ANM). The DCO became mandatory in 2022 and specifically evaluates the PAEBM and related measures. The denial signals that there are actions to be taken by Vale to ensure that the referenced PAEBMs have adequate operating conditions. The company is acting to resolve the identified discrepancies as soon as possible.

Vale reiterates that the stability conditions of the four structures remain unchanged. Of the four structures, only Dam 7 was in operation for tailings disposal at the time of the assessment. Based on the negative DCO and prioritizing the best safety conditions for its employees and communities, Vale has suspended the operation of Dam 7 and related production processes until the actions related to the corresponding PAEBM are implemented.

Vale S.A. informs that Mr. Manuel Lino Silva de Sousa Oliveira was appointed today as Lead Independent Director of Vale's Board of Directors. Mr. Ollie Oliveira has been an independent member of the Company's board since 2021, with recognized performance on several international boards in the industrial area and with more than 35 years of experience in corporate finance and strategy, mainly in the mining sector.  

To access the complete Press Release, click here. 

And for more information, access the Board of Directors and Leadership.  
 

Vale released yesterday its Tax Transparency Report 2022, which details the taxes and royalties paid in Brazil, where most of our operations are located, and those paid globally to all spheres of government and by project.

We highlight the jurisdictions where we have our mining operations, since our tax contribution plays a fundamental role in supporting the communities, people and governments of the regions where we operate.
In 2022, Vale paid US$ 9.6 billion in taxes and royalties, of which US$ 8.7 billion (90%) were paid in Brazil.

Click here to access the full report.

And for additional information, please visit Ethics, Compliance and Tax Transparency.
 

Vale’s Integrated Report about its performance in 2022 is now available. The publication provides an objective analysis of the company’s strategy, achievement of commitments, results, highlights and challenges between January 1 and December 31, 2022, focusing on the ESG agenda. 

The document is presented in line with an integrated reporting structure and addresses material issues to provide a balanced view of the company’s ability to generate value in the short, medium and long term. The publication follows the guidelines of the International Integrated Reporting Framework, which is now consolidated under the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), in addition to the GRI Standards, reflecting our commitment to transparency. 

Check out the 2022 Integrated Report and ESG Data Book on our Sustainability Reports page: https://www.vale.com/web/esg/sustainability-reports. 

On the page, you can also see previous editions of the report to check our progress and find out details about the topics that make up Vale’s “materiality matrix,” which is produced every year after assessing and prioritizing the impacts, risks and opportunities associated with our business model. 

The dams Área IX (Ouro Preto) and Capitão do Mato (Nova Lima), both in Minas Gerais, obtained a positive Declaration of Stability Condition (DCE) and had the emergency level closed this week, attesting to the safety of the structures. In all, 10 of the company's dams have closed the emergency level since the beginning of 2022.

The continuous improvement in the safety conditions of Vale's dams is the result of the measures that have been implemented, such as the new management system for the company's tailings disposal structures, based on the lessons learned from the Brumadinho dam collapse and on the best and strictest practices, as defined in the Global Industry Standard for Tailings Management (GISTM).

Area IX - The Area IX dam, located at the Fábrica mine in Ouro Preto (MG), underwent a geological-geotechnical investigation campaign and received complementary instrumentation for its monitoring, which confirmed the dam's stability conditions and made it possible to obtain the DCE and emergency level removal. The structure contains around 768,000 m³ of tailings and is one of the 30 upstream dams of the company that are part of Vale's De-Characterization Program. As of 2019, 40% of them have already been eliminated, which is equivalent to 12 structures. The Area IX dam's decharacterization is expected to be completed by 2024.

Capitão do Mato - The Capitão do Mato dam is located at the Capitão do Mato mine, in Nova Lima (MG), and contains approximately 1.8 million m³ of sediments. The right shoulder region (natural terrain) of the structure received slope stabilization works and drainage improvements, which resulted in satisfactory safety and operating conditions, with the consequent issue of the DCE. The structure was built by the single stage method and has been inactive since 2019.

The actions were duly communicated to the competent agencies, according to the guidelines established in the Emergency Action Plan for Mining Dams (PAEBM) of the structures and in the current legislation, including the National Mining Agency (ANM), the Public Ministry of Minas Gerais (MPMG), the State Environment Foundation (FEAM), the State Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development (SEMAD) and the technical audit that accompanies the work on the structures.

For more information on the management and performance of Vale's dams, visit the Control and Management of Dams page.

Vale S.A. informs that it has entered into an agreement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The agreement will terminate a lawsuit filed by the SEC against the Company in April 2022 and will be effective once ratified by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Under the agreement, without admitting or denying the settled claims, Vale will make payments totaling US$ 55.9 million to the SEC. In addition, the SEC will not oppose Vale’s motion to dismiss all claims that the Company acted with fraudulent or reckless intent regarding its disclosures. Vale continues with its commitment to remediate and repair the damage caused by the dam collapse in Brumadinho in 2019.

Click here to access the Press Release.

Vale's Ethics & Compliance Program is completing two years. In line with our commitment to transparency, we are releasing the second edition of our Ethics & Compliance Annual Report, which gathers information from 2022.

In addition to Whistleblower Channel and Consequence Management data, including the number of terminations of employment in 2022, the document highlights the implementation of our new channel for employees and contractors in Brazil to report sexual harassment or discrimination with specialized and empathetic support. Information about our communication and training actions carried out last year, such as Ethics Week, is also shared in this report.

Click here to access the report. 

For more information about the Program, visit the Ethics & Compliance page.

From the 22nd to the 24th of March, Vale will participate in the UN Water Conference 2023 in New York.
The purpose of the conference is to review the implementation of the Decade Goals: Water for Sustainable Development.

In addition to being present at the conference, we will also promote a virtual Side Event: Challenges and opportunities for sustainable water management in the mining industry.

Our goal is to encourage discussion about the mining sector's relationship with water and present common challenges and best practices aiming at the rational and sustainable use of the resource.

Speakers
Bruno Ferraz (Environment Executive Manager | Vale)
Guilherme Alves (Environment Manager | Vale)
Renata Andries (Water Resources Specialist| Vale) 
David Soares (Water Resources Specialist| Vale)
Felipe Tavares (Superintendent of Hydrological and Socioeconomic Studies | ANA | National Water Agency) 
Cláudia Salles (Manager of Sustainability | IBRAM | Brazilian Mining Institute)
Valmir Pedrosa (Professor and Consultant | UFAL | Federal University of Alagoas)
Alice Castilho (Director of Territorial Management |CPRM | Geological Service of Brazil)
Luis Armacollo (Corporate Account Manager | CEBEDS representative | Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development)
Guilherme Freitas (Global Health, Safety and Environment Manager | NEXA)

PARTICIPATE AND HELP US SHARE THIS IDEA!

Date: March 22, 2023
Time: 1:00 pm (NY time | EDT)

To attend the event, click here.

As approved at Vale's last board meeting held on 12/22/2022, we disclosed the updated Vale Group Business and Entity Management Policy. On the same date, we approved the new Authority Policy, and it became a Policy of public use. This change reflects the creation of the Drafting and Publication of Policies. And it brings an unfolding of the latest changes of the Bylaws, establishing the limits of jurisdiction that are the responsibility of the Board of Directors and by exclusion those who are delegated to the Executive Committee.

Vale S.A. (“Vale”) informs that the B3/B4 dam, located in Nova Lima (MG), was removed from critical safety condition as the emergency level was lowered from 3 to 2.

The progress of the dam de-characterization, with the removal of more than 50% of the tailings, improved the stability conditions of the structure and made it possible to lower the emergency level. 

The Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) of the structure on emergency level 2 will remain evacuated and access to the ZAS area will follow legislation and regulatory bodies review. The de-characterization of the dam will continue to be carried out by remotely operated equipment and is expected to be concluded in 2025. Vale expects to lower the emergency level to 1 by the end of 2023.

Eliminating upstream structures in Brazil is one of Vale's key commitments. By 2022, 12 structures were eliminated, representing 40% of Vale's de-characterization program. 

B3/B4 dam reduction level is an important milestone for Vale and is in lline with the expectation of no dams in critical safety condition (level 3 of emergency) by 2025.
 

For more information, access Control and Management of Dams

​Vale considers that the Bill 191/2020 does not meet the objective of regulating the constitutional provision that includes the possibility of economic activities, including mining, on indigenous lands in Brazil.

Vale's performance is guided by the respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and the company understands that mining on indigenous lands may only take place with the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of the indigenous themselves and in light of a regulatory framework that contemplates the participation and autonomy of indigenous peoples. The recognition of FPIC is essential to meet the rights of indigenous populations to determine their own development and the right to exercise self-determination in face of decisions that concern their territories.

Vale also reinforces that it does not have any mining rights nor does it carry out any research or mining activities on indigenous land in Brazil. Last year, the company announced the relinquishment of all its mining processes on indigenous lands in the country, which includes research and mining requirements. Withdrawal requests were filed with the National Mining Agency (ANM) throughout 2021.

Vale develops activities in traditional lands in countries where there are regulations in force, such as Voisey's Bay in Canada, always with strict observance of the principles mentioned above, with emphasis on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), as legally applied in the jurisdictions in which Vale has mining activities

​Vale reiterates that the company has no mineral rights on Indigenous Lands in Brazil. In 2021, Vale relinquished all its mining rights on Indigenous Lands in Brazil, which includes all applications for exploration permits and mining concessions.

Vale's relinquishment is based on the understanding that mining on Indigenous Lands may only take place with the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) from the Indigenous people themselves and based on a legal framework that adequately regulates the activity.

The relinquishment notices were filed throughout that year with the National Mining Agency (ANM, the authority for the matter in Brazil). Eventual updates in this regard in the entity's records, particularly in the updating of active applications, follow the ANM's own protocol. In this sense, Vale states that there are no 75 active applications without the corresponding communication of relinquishment of the company for exploration permits and mining concessions in polygons interfering with indigenous lands.

The company also clarifies that it maintains requests and titles for exploration permits and mining concessions in areas neighboring indigenous lands, without any intersection with demarcated areas in the country, in strict compliance with the legislation in force in Brazil, maintaining a respectful relationship with the indigenous peoples.

Vale restates that the allegations regarding the contamination of Cateté River are unfounded, based on expert reports issued by legal experts from different scientific areas, which attest that there is no causality between the Onça Puma mining operation and the alleged contamination. 

Vale's ambition is to be a partner in the development of resilient communities, engaged in relevant issues for humanity and committed to sustainable mining. For this purpose, the company has established three social commitments as part of its 2030 Agenda, which include contribute to all indigenous communities neighboring our operations in the preparation and execution of their plans to pursue the rights foreseen in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Finally, Vale also reinforces that it is available to clarify all points with Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib) and Amazon Watch.

​Regarding the report released today by Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib) and Amazon Watch, as already widely reported, Vale does not have any mineral right on indigenous land in Brazil. Last year, the company announced the relinquishment of all its mining rights in Indigenous Land in Brazil (which includes applications for exploration permits and mining concessions). The relinquishment requests were filed with the National Mining Agency (ANM) throughout 2021. This decision is based on the understanding that mining in Indigenous Land can only be carried out with the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of the indigenous themselves and legislation that allows and adequately regulates the activity.
The allegations about the contamination of the Cateté River are also unfounded, which has already been corroborated in expert reports prepared by judicial experts in several scientific areas, which prove that there is no causality between the Onça Puma mining operation and the alleged contamination. See more details here.
Vale also reinforces that it is available to clarify all points with Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib) and Amazon Watch.
 

​Based on a proactive and precautionary approach by its tailings and dams management system, Vale informs that it has temporarily upgraded to level 2 the emergency protocol of the Área IX dam, located at the Fábrica mine, in the municipality of Ouro Preto, MG. This measure became necessary after piezometric changes in the structure’s right abutment, associated with the heavy rains that hit the region, a situation that demands studies and corrective actions, already initiated by the company.

The Area IX dam is inactive and is included in Vale's Upstream Dam Decharacterization Program. Its current volume is about 640 thousand cubic meters. The structure had been under a level 1 emergency protocol since June 2020, which was started on a preventive basis, with studies to detail its characteristics and safety conditions. Vale informs that there is no permanent presence of people and no additional evacuation is necessary. The measure started today has no impact on the company’s production.


The structure’s current condition was reported to the authorities and to the audit of the Public Prosecutors’ Office of the State of Minas Gerais and continue to be monitored by Vale's specialized teams and by the respective Engineer of Record. Vale maintains the continuous management and monitoring of its dams and geotechnical structures.
 

​Vale informs that it has initiated the level 1 emergency protocol of the Elefante dike, located at the Água Limpa mine, in the municipality of Rio Piracicaba, MG. This measure became necessary after erosion on the structure’s right abutment, associated with the heavy rains that hit the region, a situation that demands corrective actions, already initiated by the company. The Elefante dike serves to contain sediments and is being decharacterized. Its construction was carried out using the single-step method and its current sediment volume is around 200 thousand cubic meters.


Vale emphasizes that the Elefante dike’s overall stability was not compromised and that there is no permanent presence of people in the corresponding Self-Rescue Zone. There are also no impacts on the company's production. The anomaly was reported to the authorities and to the audit of the Public Prosecutors’ Office of the State of Minas Gerais and continue to be monitored by Vale's specialized teams and by the respective Engineer of Record. Vale maintains the continuous management and monitoring of its dams and geotechnical structures.
 

Vale informs Forquilha IV Dam, from Mina Fábrica, in Ouro Preto (MG), has it emergency level 1 finished, on this Tuesday (30). In Barão de Cocais, the Norte Laranjeiras dam has it emergency level reduced from 2 to 1. The changes attest the safety increase and the structures stability and reinforce Vale’s commitment to the safety of the people that live close to the sites.

Forquilha IV dam underwent several improvements this year, such as adaptation of accesses, erosion correction and vegetation pruning. The actions were done using unmanned equipment, as the access to the dam is restricted, according to Labor Public Ministry (MPT) requirement. The structure has positive DCE.

Norte Laranjeiras dam also received a serie of actions and investigations in the last months and, based on the positioning of the Engineer of Record (EoR), company designers and technical staff, was concluded that the anomalia (crack) that preventively resulted in the increase to level 2 of the structure, in November 2020, does not affect the overall stability of the structure. Monitoring, safety controls and constant inspections at the dam reinforce this understanding.

The removal of the emergency level of the Forquilha IV dam and the reduction of the emergency level of Norte Laranjeiras were duly informed to competent authorities, according to guidelines established in the Emergency Action Plan for Mining Dams (PAEBM) and in Brazilian legislation, including the Brazilian National Mining Agency (ANM) and the technical audit of the Minas Gerais Public Prosecutor's Office (MPMG).

Forquilhas IV and Norte Laranjeiras dams, as all the other structures of the company, are monitored permanently by the Geotechnical Monitoring Center (CMG) and receive regular inspections from internal and external staff. Vale continues committed to meeting the best international engineering practices, always focusing on the security of the workers and the community close to the structures.

​Conclusion of the works on dike 5, in Itabira (MG), represents an advance in the company’s commitment to eliminate every upstream dams it has in the country.

The decharacterization works in dike 5 of Pontal dam, in Itabira (MG), are concluded. The structure lost its upstream characteristics and does not store tailings anymore. The work was done with the adoption of rigorous Covid-19 prevention protocols. 


Since 2019, Vale already eliminated seven upstream dams in the country. The most recent, in July, was Fernandinho dam, in Nova Lima, in Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Region. In total, four structures in Minas Gerais e three in Pará were already decharacterizated and reintegrated in the environment.


Other 23 structures, all of them in Minas Gerais, will have their upstream characteristics eliminated. The projects are in action and are monitored by the regulators, Ministério Público and independent technical audits. Vale reinforces its commitment of eliminate all the upstream dams in the country, assumed in 2019, in the lower term possible, prioritizing people’s and environment’s safety.



The work conclusion of dike 5 represents an advance in the Decharacterization Program and in Vale’s commitment with a more transparent and safe management of its dams. The Decharacterization Program schedule and other information about the management of Vale’s dams are available and are regularly updated at www.vale.com/esg.

 

Vale released its first report on climate changes, an initiative that reinforces the strategic importance of the subject to the company. The purpose of the document, which will be published annually, is to map the exposure of Vale's assets to climate change risks, in line with the guidelines of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TFCD) and present the resilience of the company's business strategy before climate change scenarios.
 

The rupture of the tailings dam at Córrego do Feijão in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais State, led Vale to review its governance, health and safety management, operational excellence management, including taillings, operational and business risk assessment, remediation processes as well as its Human Rights governance and management, among others.

Vale is determined to fully repair and compensate for the Human Rights impacts and damage caused by the Brumadinho tragedy. By the end of 2Q21, Vale has been intensely engaging with affected people, communities, and other stakeholders and has allocated over US$ 3.5 billion to pay for compensation to impacted people, infrastructure works and environmental and socioeconomic reparation actions. In February 2021, Vale entered into a BRL 37.7 billion Global Agreement, which includes reparation and compensatory projects, with the State of Minas Gerais, the Public Defender’s Office of the State of Minas Gerais and the Federal and State of Minas Gerais Public Ministries. This Agreement brings greater transparency, legitimacy and legal certainty to those involved. Vale will remain committed to individual indemnity agreements, which already reached 10,500 people by 2Q21.

1. Improvements in Governance towards Safety and Operational Excellence

In the aftermath of the Brumadinho dam rupture, Vale’s leadership carried out a series of measures to further strengthen the risk management governance. In 2020, the company’s governance was further refined to ensure a conservative approach on risk management:

• New Risk Management Policy has been defined and approved by the Board, establishing, among other measures, five Executive Risk Committees.
• Installation of the Statutory Audit Committee, in compliance with the recommendations of regulatory bodies. Creation of the Compliance Office overseeing corporate integrity and ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• The Compliance and Risk Committee evolved into the Operational Excellence and Risk Committee, strengthening its competence to assess corporate risk management, absorbing the duties associated with monitoring operational risks, especially geotechnical ones. The attributions related to compliance were transferred to the Statutory Audit Committee.

2. Improved Risk Management framework

Vale has improved its integrated Risk Management Governance flow which represents how periodic reviews are performed to ensure alignment between strategic decisions, performance, definition and monitoring of risk tolerance limits approved by the Company's Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Executive Board.

3. Upstream Dam Decharacterization Program

One of the main initiatives to reduce the company's risk level is the decharacterization¹ of all of our 30 upstream² geotechnical structures in Brazil, including dams, dikes and drained piles - Vale’s Upstream Dam Decharacterization Program. Out of those 30, Vale completed the decharacterization of 6 upstream structures and by the end of 2021, the decharacterization of a dyke and the reinforcement of another dyke are planned.

The decharacterization process is important for the long-term risk reduction of the upstream tailings facilities. Works have been conducted with a precautionary approach, and the program’s completion is expected to occur in 2029. In that sense, downstream zones of the critical dams have been evacuated and three downstream containment structures (ECJ) to contain the tailings in a hypothetical scenario of dam rupture have been built. Further information on our Upstream Dam Decharacterization Program is available here.

​Within the continuous performance assessment process executed by the respective Engineers of Records (“EoR”), the small-sized geotechnical structures Dique 2, PDE 3 and Dique de Pedra were issued with a negative Stability Condition Declaration (“DCE”). This classification refers to the adoption of a more robust tailings and dam management system, jointly with a conservative approach. Additionally, the Forquilha IV dam had negative DCE replaced by positive DCE.

• Dique 2: sediments storage facility, with a center-line heightening, located in the municipality of Barão de Cocais (MG), at the Gongo Soco mine, with a volume of 15.412 m³. Given the proximity of the Sul Superior dam and the need to complement information on the structure, a conservative approach was taken in issuing the DCE. No anomaly or any other situation that could potentially compromise the dike's safety was identified.
   
• PDE 3 dike: sediments storage facility, built in single-step rockfill, located in the municipality of São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo (MG), at the Brucutu mine, with a volume of 43.000 m³. During the “As Is” project preparation stage, new information on the geological-geotechnical conditions of the foundation was incorporated, which in turn requires additional information. From this reassessment, obtained so far in the “As Is” project, a safety factor slightly below the limit was identified for one of the sections. No anomaly or any other situation that implies a deterioration in the state of conservation was identified.
   
• Dique de Pedra: auxiliary and temporary tailings storage facility, built in a single step, located in the municipality of Ouro Preto (MG), in the Fábrica mine, with a volume of 500,000 m³. The Dique de Pedra structure was recorded in the systems of the National Mining Agency ("ANM") and the State Foundation for the Environment ("FEAM") of Minas Gerais after a precision topographic survey, which changed its characterization. Despite having been conceived as a temporary structure associated with the Forquilha IV dam, the structure is now treated as an independent dam in relation to the existing dam downstream. Given the absence of geotechnical information on the structure and its conception as a temporary structure, a conservative scenario was preventively adopted, assuming that it does not meet the safety requirements.

Vale will establish complementary studies and additional safety measures for these structures, in line with its conservative approach to risk management. In this sense, the emergency protocol at level 1, which does not require the evacuation of the Self-Rescue Zones downstream of the structures, was activated for PDE 3 and Dique de Pedra structures, as per the respective Emergency Action Plans for Mining Dams ("PAEBM”).

The Forquilha IV dam received a positive DCE, due to the increase in its safety factors and the improvement of its conservation status, after having a negative DCE since October 2019. The tailings containment structure, built by the center-line method, is located in the municipality of Ouro Preto (MG), at the Fábrica mine. The improvement in its conditions results from the adoption of measures to resolve anomalies, carried out with unmanned equipment, including the correction of erosions on slopes and in the vicinity of the peripheral channel, correction and adequacy of access to the left abutment and desilting of the bottom drain. The removal of the level 1 emergency protocol, which is active for the structure today, will be evaluated in due course, considering that Forquilha IV is located downstream of emergency level 2 dams.

Vale now has 110 structures included in the National Dam Safety Policy (“PNSB”), of which 31 have negative DCEs, with 31 structures at some level of emergency. In the four cases above, the update does not have a material impact on Vale's operations. The company reiterates that its priority is the safety of people and communities downstream of its operations, as well as the safety of all its structures.
 

​Vale SA ("Vale" or "Company) informs that it has completed the decharacterization works of the Fernandinho dam, located at Abóboras Mine, Vargem Grande Complex, in Nova Lima (MG). The company also informs that it has completed the construction of the downstream containment structure (“ECJ”) that serves the Forquilhas I, II, III, IV and Grupo dams and is located between the municipalities of Itabirito and Ouro Preto (MG), near the Fábrica Mine. The completion of both projects reflects Vale's progress in its commitment to best practices in the management of its dams.

Decharacterization of the Fernandinho dam 
With the completion of the decharacterization works, which will still be evaluated by the competent bodies, Fernandinho no longer has the characteristics of a dam, losing its function of tailings and water storage. In the decharacterization process, 558 thousand cubic meters of tailings were removed and a central drainage channel was built, with subsequent revegetation and reintegration of the area into the local environment. The activities had around 540 workers, mostly residing in the Nova Lima region. The work was executed with the strict adoption of Covid-19 prevention protocols. 
The Fernandinho dam was part of Vale's Dam Decharacterization Program, aimed at structures with upstream heightening, a method similar to that used in the collapsed dam in Brumadinho. The decharacterization of upstream dams is a commitment made by Vale and a legal obligation to increase the safety of communities and operations. Since 2019, six upstream structures have been completely decharacterized and reintegrated into the environment. 

Completion of Fábrica’s ECJ 
The containment structure downstream of Fábrica Mine, with works completed, has the capacity to retain the tailings of the Forquilhas I, II, III, IV and Grupo dams, located upstream of the Fábrica Mine, in a hypothetical scenario of simultaneous rupture. At 95 meters high and 330 meters long, the structure increases the safety of people living in nearby communities and protects the Secondary Safety Zones of the aforementioned dams, which include part of the municipalities of Itabirito, Raposos, Rio Acima and Nova Lima, in addition to three neighborhoods in Belo Horizonte.
The conclusion of the ECJ allows preparations for the decharacterization of the Forquilhas I, II, III and Grupo dams. Forquilha IV dam is at emergency level 1, Forquilhas I, II and Grupo are at level 2, and Forquilhas III is at level 3 of the Emergency Action Plan for Mining Dams (“PAEBM”). All structures have continuous instrumental monitoring, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, managed by Vale's Geotechnical Monitoring Center. Fábrica’s ECJ was built under the strictest national standards, the best engineering practices and technical references from international entities. Vale continues to assess, together with the technical auditor of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the need for additional actions. 
The completion of the two works represents the advance of Vale’s Decharacterization Program and commitment to a more transparent and safer approach in the management of the company’s dams.
 

​The Sul Inferior dam, at the Gongo Soco mine, in Ouro Preto (MG), had its emergency level reduced from 2 to 1, on June 18, 2021. The change, which reflects the increased safety and stability of the structure, is a result of a series of corrective works on the structure's slope, carried out by Vale in recent months. The improvements were monitored and certified by the technical consulting firm in charge.
The reduction in the level of emergency was filed with the competent bodies, according to guidelines established in the Emergency Action Plan for Mining Dams (PAEBM) and by the Brazilian legislation, and reported to the National Mining Agency (ANM) and to the technical audit supporting the Minas Gerais Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPMG).
Despite the increased safety, the families evacuated from the Sul Inferior dam’s Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) will remain preventively relocated until the completion of the de-characterization process of the Sul Superior dam, located nearby.
Sul Inferior is a water and sediment containment dam, built in a single step, considered one of the safest construction methods. It is monitored 24 hours a day by the Geotechnical Monitoring Center (CMG) and is regularly inspected by internal and external teams. Vale will continue to carry out maintenance and adjustment activities so that the indicators follow the most conservative parameters established by specialized technical consultants, focusing on the safety of the people who work and live in the surroundings of the structure.
 

​Vale hereby discloses to the market the final report ("Report") of the Extraordinary Independent Advisory Committee for Dam Safety ("CIAESB"), which ended its activities in May 2021.
 

Announced on January 27, 2019, the Independent Extraordinary Advisory Committee of Investigation (CIAE-A) was constituted by the Company's Board of Directors, under the coordination of ex-minister Ellen Gracie, dedicated to investigating the causes and responsibilities of the dam B1 rupture, at the Córrego do Feijão mine, in Brumadinho.

In 2019, the Committee met 49 times and, since its creation, it carried out several verification activities - such as interviews with key people to understand the event, document analysis, visits to the site, among others. The Committee also engaged with the authorities responsible for other related investigations and monitored the work of the various established parliamentary committees, in order to obtain relevant information from a variety of sources. The work of the Investigation Committee was also monitored directly by Vale’s Board of Directors and Fiscal Council, through periodic reports. In all cases, the independence of the Committee, including budgetary, is safeguarded.

The result of its work was made available in a report to the Board of Directors and its summary was released to the market to ensure accountability to society. Such report brought recommendations of a technical and governance nature. Most of the recommendations refer to topics that are already being addressed by Vale through various initiatives to improve its internal controls. The executive summary of the report is available click here.

Vale defined the deadlines for actions to comply with the recommendations brought by the CIAE-A report. By the end of 2020, 92% of these actions had been completed and the schedule indicates that all actions will be completed by December 2022.

To access the Accountability Report to CIAE-A Recommendations, prepared under the coordination of Vale's Audit Committee, and the complete work schedule, click here (in Portuguese, only).

​In 2021, the Integrated Report was launched replacing the Sustainability Report. With a more concise approach and greater focus on the ESG strategy, the document was prepared according to the guidelines of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), in addition to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards.
 

​Vale informs, regarding the semiannual submission to the National Mining Agency (ANM) of the regular safety inspection reports (RISR) related to the Company's dams, as defined by the National Dam Safety Policy, under the terms of Ordinance 70.389/2017 DNPM/ANM, that the company updated its information on the agency’s registry on March 31, 2021.
 

Among the 104 structures included in ANM’s Integrated Management System for Safety of Mining Dams - SIGBM, the Company informs that 75 structures of its operational units of Ferrous Minerals and Base Metals in Brazil now have positive Stability Condition Statements (DCEs), an increase of 3 structures in relation to February 2021.
 
As of today, three additional structures have positive DCEs and, as a result, their emergency protocol at level 1 is removed. They are: (i) Capim Branco, Mina Jangada, Brumadinho, MG; (ii) Menezes II, Córrego do Feijão Mine, Brumadinho, MG; and (iii) Taquaras, Mina Mar Azul, Nova Lima, MG. The security conditions of these structures were considered adequate by the EoRs after the adoption of measures to improve safety.
 
A total of 29 structures in the Ferrous Minerals business do not have positive DCEs today, having active emergency protocols, according to the respective PAEBM, 18 of which are at emergency level 1, 8 at emergency level 2 and 3 at emergency level 3. All 11 structures related to the Base Metals business have positive DCEs.

 

Vale informs that, on this date, the Company's Board of Directors approved the call notice for the Annual General Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting, to be held on April 30, 2021, at 10 a.m., Brasilia time, exclusively through virtual means, under the terms of the call notice.    

On the occasion, the shareholders will have the opportunity to elect Vale's Board of Directors for the 2021-2023 term, among other deliberations provided for in the agenda. The Management Proposal is available for consideration and, to assist shareholders in the analysis of the items in the Meetings' Agenda, we invite shareholders to access Vale's 2021 Proxy Statement.
Shareholders may exercise their voting rights by means of: (i) absentee ballots, by submitting voting instructions prior to the Meetings; or, (ii) participation via electronic system at the time of the Meetings. 
The documents related to the Meetings, listed below, are available here.


 

​Vale  informs that, in line with its iron ore production resumption plan, the emergency level of the Itabiruçu dam, located at the Itabira Complex, has been removed after a thorough analysis of its geotechnical characteristics. As of this moment, the dam is in compliance with the legal safety parameters and released. 
 

Check out detailed information about Vale's structures in the Technical Reports section of our Dam Control and Management page.


 

Vale updated about its Board and Leadership page with information on the Board of Directors' members, assessment processes, among others. Besides that, the page contains uptades about Vale's Committees, including the Audit Committee established in March 2020.

 

Vale updates its Compensation page with an analysis and discussion on the compensation of its executives and informations regarding the 2019 e 2020 annual bonus panel.
 

​Vale informs that today it started, on a preventive basis, the Level 1 emergency protocol for dams 6 and 7A, at the Águas Claras Mine, Nova Lima (Minas Gerais) and the Area IX dam, at the Fábrica Mine, Ouro Preto (Minas Gerais), all of them inactive, protocol that does not require the evacuation of the population downstream of the dam.
 

​Rio de Janeiro, May 14th, 2020 – Vale S.A. ("Vale") informs that it will invest at least US$2 billion to reduce by 33% its direct and indirect absolute emissions (scopes 1 and 2) by 2030. Direct emissions come from operations, and indirect emissions come from external sources involved in the production process, such as electric power consumption. The goal is aligned with the Paris Agreement, which established a maximum limit for increasing the global average temperature of 2°C by 2100.

The investment amount, already included in Vale's capex guidance for the coming years, is the largest amount ever committed by the mining industry to fight climate change. With this initiative, Vale aims to transform itself into a company with zero net emissions in scopes 1 and 2 by 2050, leading the industry towards carbon-neutral mining. Details on the scope 1 and 2 target were unveiled by Vale's CEO, Eduardo Bartolomeo, during a conference with investors. Click here to access the full presentation. 

This initiative is an evolution on Vale's climate agenda. In December at Vale Day – a meeting with market analysts held in New York and London – Vale had announced its goal to reduce its emissions and established an internal carbon pricing of US$50 per metric ton of CO₂ equivalent, for capital projects and competitors.

"This agenda is a result of a listening process, aligned with a real climate change-related demand from society for a robust reduction of emissions in the scope 1 and 2. We are stepping forward to develop a New Pact with Society with more transparency and responsibility", comments Eduardo Bartolomeo.

Since Vale Day, the Low Carbon Forum was established – a group led by the CEO and composed of six executive officers and employees from different areas of the company – whose purpose is to guide the implementation of the commitments made. The initiative reflects the engagement of Vale's management on the issue, as well as, the constant evolution on the climate agenda. According to Luiz Eduardo Osorio, the executive officer for Institutional Relations, Communication and Sustainability, 35 initiatives are under analysis using the "Marginal Abatement Cost Curve" – a tool that allows the classification of projects by costs and potential for reducing emissions.

"There are projects for the use of biodiesel in Base Metals, energy efficiency, electrification of mines and railroads, biofuels in pelletizing instead of coal, and renewable energy, since one of Vale's goals is to achieve 100% of self-production of electric power from clean sources, such as wind and solar, in its plants around the world," explains Luiz Eduardo Osorio.

By the end of the second half of this year, some pilot projects will be in operation. Vitória-Minas railway (EFVM) will have the first 100% electric locomotive. Electric vehicles will be tested in underground operation at Creighton, Coleman and Copper Cliff's mines in Canada and Vale's pelletizing plant in Vitória (Espirito Santo) will be tested with biofuel.

The base year used to calculate the carbon goal was 2017, when Vale's emissions reached 14.1 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent (MtCO₂e). The goal is to reduce it to 9.5 MtCO₂e by 2030. In parallel, the projects to disassociate its production from carbon emissions, Vale will recover and protect another 500 thousand hectares of native forest by 2030. Today, the company helps to protect more than 1 million hectares worldwide.

Scope 3

In addition to its ambition to neutralize its scopes 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2050, Vale aims to establish a goal for scope 3 to encourage clients and suppliers in the same direction.  Through active engagement with clients from the steel and metallurgy industries, Vale will work to reduce emissions in its value chain. The company will guide its operations based on win-win relationships, less intensive products, and new technologies

It amounts to almost 70% of the total of R$500 million that the company has allocated to invest in humanitarian actions

Vale has already allocated R$352.8 million to tackle the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Brazil. It amounts to almost 70% of the total of R$500 million that the company has allocated to invest in humanitarian aid to fight against the spread of the disease. More than 600 tons of inputs have been purchased in China – rapid test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) – to support the Federal Government and the States where Vale operates (Minas Gerais, Pará, Maranhão, Espírito Santo, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Rio de Janeiro). The first batch arrived in late March and the last will be delivered in May.

This emergency aid, which represents an investment of R$223.3 million, complies with the guidance of health authorities. The cargo, equivalent to the average weight of 600 automobiles, is being transported by 15 airplanes – 13 cargo aircrafts and two airliners. Vale has also taken other humanitarian actions totaling R$129.5 million.

Five million rapid test kits and 15.8 million PPE are being donated to the Federal Government. The company will also provide almost 14.5 million inputs, including kits and PPE, to the six States where it operates. The cargo also includes five million kits purchased by Brazilian banks with Vale’s logistical support in China, thanks to its 50-year partnership with that country. To bring all this cargo of more than 600 tons, Vale mobilized 116 employees from nine areas of the company in Brazil and China.

More than Inputs

However, humanitarian actions are not limited to the acquisition of inputs. The company has helped to build field hospitals, refurbish hospitals, purchase equipment – such as ventilators, hospital beds, and monitors –, as well as donate cleaning materials and 100 tons of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Aiming to guarantee the social isolation of indigenous peoples and traditional communities with which it interfaces, the company will build quarantine centers with all the required logistical support.

In partnership with Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein and the Mater Dei Health Network, Vale has launched a US$1 million public notice (almost R$5 million at the average dollar exchange rate in March) to support innovative solutions aiming to reduce the impact of COVID-19 – the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

And R$2 million was donated to the State Brain Institute to purchase equipment. The Institute, part of a 10-year partnership with Vale, has become a reference in Rio de Janeiro for hospitalization and treatment of the disease.

These are the main humanitarian actions already taken by Vale to tackle the COVID-19:

Actions to Support the Federal Government – R$213.8 million

• Five million rapid test kits for virus detection;
• 15.8 million PPE (2.54 million N95 masks, 10.8 million surgical masks, 216 thousand gloves, 2.24 million aprons, and 4.5 thousand goggles).

Actions to Support the States – R$131.7 million

• 14.5 million inputs, including test kits and PPE, for the six States where the company operates (Minas Gerais, Pará, Maranhão, Espírito Santo, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Rio de Janeiro);
• Construction of three field hospitals in Parauapebas (Pará), Açailândia (Maranhão), and in the city of Rio de Janeiro;
• Refurbishment of three hospitals – two in Minas Gerais (Itabira and Belo Horizonte) and one in Pará (Parauapebas);
• Donation of R$2 million to the State Brain Institute to purchase equipment for brain monitoring, ultrasound, and monitoring robots, among other hospital items. The Institute, part of a 10-year partnership with Vale, has become a reference in Rio de Janeiro for hospitalization and treatment of the disease;
• Logistical support for transportation of hospital equipment;
• Support to the City Government of Parauapebas (Pará) to identify the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 in the municipality through the application of PCR tests by sampling of the population;
• Purchase of 390 hospital equipment (mechanical ventilators, beds and monitors) for four hospitals in Pará: Parauapebas Municipal Hospital, Canaã Municipal Hospital, Yutaka Takeda Hospital and Cinco de Outubro Hospital;
• Donation of 81 thousand items for cleaning, in addition to 100 tons of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and personal hygiene kits to 14 prisons in 13 cities in Minas Gerais;
• Donation of five containers with air conditioning and stretchers to Santa Casa de Ouro Preto (Minas Gerais), which will be used as the first aid center for suspected cases of the new coronavirus;
• Three ambulances to the city of Mariana. The vehicles are equipped with Intensive Care Units (ICU) and respirators for two of them;
• Acquisition of medical and hospital supplies for a hospital in São Luís (Maranhão);
• Anticipation of the donation of five rescue and fire-fighting vehicles to the Fire Department in Maranhão. These vehicles will provide assistance to tackle the COVID-19 in the cleaning of public areas;
• Donation of two solenoid valves to create a prototype of respirator in São Luís.

Actions to Support the Indigenous People and Guilombola Communities – R$2.3 million

• Construction 15 Quarantine Units in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo to serve the Tupiniquim, Guarani, Krenak and Pataxó ethnic groups that interface with Vale, in addition to the other indigenous peoples from these States;
• Construction of the Quarantine Center for Awá, Guajajara and Ka’apor indigenous peoples, the health professionals for indigenous peoples, and Funai in Santa Inês (Maranhão) (The Technical Cooperation Agreement is under development with Legal and Procurement areas);
• Emergency accommodation support (14 nights) for two Awá families (five indigenous people);
• Donation of cleaning kits to 475 Quilombola families, fish farmers, and artisanal fishermen from Sepetiba bay (Rio de Janeiro);
• Donation of cleaning kits to 10,000 indigenous families in Minas Gerais, Maranhão, Espírito Santo, and Pará.

Other Actions – R$5 million

• Vale, in partnership with Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein and the Mater Dei Health Network, has launched the COVID-19 Challenge public notice to support solutions that reduce the impacts of COVID-19, focusing on the areas of prevention and tracking of risk, screening and diagnosis, monitoring and follow-up of patients, as well as intensive care. Support will be provided in the form of funding or by connecting partners to enable the implementation of such solutions within 15 days. The maximum investment will be US$1 million (almost R$5 million at the average dollar exchange rate in March). Over 1,400 proposals have been submitted. The result of this challenge will be disclosed on the 24th.

Aid to the Suppliers – R$1 billion

At the end of March, mining was declared an essential service by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and, as a result, Vale maintains its activities. To ensure the financial health of its suppliers, the company announced a package of almost R$1 billion, which will benefit almost three thousand suppliers across the country.

The company has been taking several actions to ensure the health of direct and third-party employees. They include implementing home office for eligible functions, implementing leave of absence for employees over 60 years old or with pre-existing diseases (who were instructed to be at home), and the installation of 81 thermal cameras at the entrance of its facilities to identify the temperature of direct and third-party employees, among other measures. All measures taken by Vale comply with the health and safety protocols established by health authorities in regard to the new coronavirus pandemic.

​Vale  informs that today it started, as a preventive measure, the emergency protocol at Level 1¹ for the Taquaras sediment dam, of the Mar Azul mine, in Nova Lima (MG), protocol that does not require the evacuation of the population in the Self-Rescue Zone (“ZAS”), downstream of the dam.

​Vale informs that, yesterday, on a preventive basis, the Level 1 emergency protocol for Borrachudo II dike, of Mina Cauê, in Itabira (MG) was initiated. This protocol does not require the evacuation of the population downstream of the dam. The Borrachudo II dike had its Declaration of Stability Condition (“DCE”) issued on March 31, 2020, which remains valid. 

​Vale announces that has already anticipated R$521 million in payments to small and medium-sized companies since the beginning of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company plans to inject another R$411 million into the Brazilian economy in advance of payments until the end of April, totaling R$932 million to help almost 3,000 suppliers in Brazil to address this moment. 

Vale discloses a series of support initiatives for its suppliers during a crisis caused by the coronavirus epidemic.

​Vale disclosure a timeline with actions and deadlines to adress the recommendations presented in the final Report of the Independent Committee for Extraordinary Assessment (CIAE-A)

Vale has released the documents for the Annual and Extraordinary Meetings of Shareholders, to be held on April 30, 2020.​

Vale informs about the new Audit Committee, its function and composition, in order to further evolve in the aspects of Corporate Governance.​

​The summary of the report prepared by the Extraordinary Independent Consulting Committee for Investigation for Investigation was released with recommendations of a technical and governance nature.