​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.
 

​Vale thanks the New Climate Institute and Carbon Market Watch for publishing the Climate Corporate Responsibility Monitor report, which analyzes the climate change strategies of 25 large global corporations, and keeps the topic under discussion. 

Vale believes, however, that, for a future edition of the study, the authors could complement their analyses with qualification of the sectoral challenges of which the companies evaluated are part. Mining and steel are admittedly hard-to-abate sectors, whose decarbonization trajectory is marked by a high degree of uncertainty in technological routes and high decarbonization costs.

Vale's decarbonization strategy is public and based on a global policy. Vale's annual climate change performance is evaluated by specialized institutions such as Sustainalytics, Climate Action 100+, RFC Ambrian, among others. The company even received an A-rating, above the average for the mining sector, in the assessment of CDP - an international non-profit organization that brings together 13,000 companies in 90 countries and represents more than 590 investors with assets from order of USD 110 trillion.

Vale has a historic commitment to fighting climate change and for almost 20 years has voluntarily published its emissions inventory and advances in the climate change agenda. In 2019, Vale updated its emission reduction commitments, based on the requirements of the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), formally submitting them to the institution's validation. The company's net zero goal, which encompasses scopes 1 and 2, is technically in line with SBTi guidelines and only assumes emission reduction initiatives – it does not consider offsetting.

The company was one of the first to establish a quantitative scope 3 emission reduction target, also based on the SBTi requirements, with the only difference of allowing marginal use of offsets for the scope 3 target due to the high emission reduction challenge in steel customers.

Vale has robust internal governance that supports the cultural and technological transformation required for the decarbonization of mining and its value chain, notably the steel industry. Last year, the company launched a new product on the market, the green briquette, which has the potential to reduce emissions by up to 10% in steel mills. To date, Vale has entered into partnerships to develop decarbonization solutions with customers that represent approximately 30% of the world's steel production and about 40% of the company's scope 3 carbon emissions. 

The use of Nature-Based Solutions to offset any possible residual emissions that cannot be abated through technological solutions is conditioned to advances in discussions on the implementation of a global carbon market, with predictable and reliable rules, based on discussions already started with the regulation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, during COP 26, in Glasgow. As explained at COP-26, however, Vale believes in the potential of Nature-Based Solutions to mitigate global warming.  Currently, the company helps to protect almost 1 million hectares of forests in the world, an area 11 times larger than that occupied by its operations, thus contributing to the protection of native fauna and flora species, mainly endemic and threatened with extinction.  In 2019, the company also announced a voluntary commitment to protect and restore an additional 500,000 hectares of forests by 2030. In two years, 6,000 hectares have already been recovered and partnerships have been signed to protect 115,000 hectares of forests in Brazil. 

Vale's purpose is to improve life and transform the future. Together.

​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 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.

 

​The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion report aims to increase transparency about how we are performing, objectively presenting our advances, challenges and opportunities in this long journey.
 

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

​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.
 

​Considering the current regulations of the National Mining Agency (ANM), in July 2021, a registration adjustment was made for the Pontal System, at the Cauê mine, Itabira Complex, in Itabira (MG), and for the System 5-MAC, at the Águas Claras mine, in Nova Lima (MG), with the alteration of the construction method of these structures in the ANM's Integrated Management System for Mining Dams (SIGBM).
Although the main dams (Pontal and 5-MAC) have a downstream construction method, it was necessary to adjust the classification of both as upstream, since the internal dikes 2, 3, 4, 5 and the saddle dikes Cordão Nova Vista and Minervino, for Pontal, and the Auxiliar dike, for  5-MAC, have an upstream construction method.
It is noteworthy that the systems did not undergo any change in their stability and safety conditions, with the registration adjustment being a formality. The structures in question were already part of Vale's Upstream Dam Decharacterization Plan and are permanently monitored by the Geotechnical Monitoring Center.
The registration adjustment does not imply new legal obligations. Once the decharacterization process is concluded, the Pontal and 5-MAC Systems must have their construction method records reclassified as downstream, as per their projects.
 

​Vale released today the second edition of its Tax Transparency Report that sets out the company’s approach to tax – one that is rooted in compliance, transparency, a long-term view, risk management and positive relationships with tax authorities. We also share details of how Vale has supported our communities, partners and our staff through the COVID-19 pandemic.
It builds on our first publication last year by sharing more information on how, when and why we pay tax – and includes details of our greater economic contribution in the society.
This report details taxes and royalties paid in Brazil, where most of the operations are located, and worldwide for all government spheres, and by project, highlighting the jurisdictions that we operate.
The report is an important part of our new pact with society as we look to better engage our stakeholders in the places we work.
In 2020, Vale paid US$ 5.7 billion in taxes and royalties, out of which U$$ 4.9 billion (86%) — was paid in Brazil.

 

​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.
 

​The Doutor dam, at the Timbopeba mine, in Ouro Preto (MG), had its emergency level reduced from 2 to 1, on May 18, 2021. The change, which reflects the increased safety and stability of the structure, is a result of a series of actions that have been carried out by Vale in recent months. Among them, geotechnical investigations, maintenance of pumping to reduce the water level in the reservoir and improvement works on the left abutment, one of the sides of the dam. These actions were monitored and certified by the responsible technical consultancy.
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 for the community of Antônio Pereira and Vila Residencial Antônio Pereira, families that have been removed from the Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) of the Doutor dam will remain preventively relocated until the structure's decharacterization process is completed.
The Doutor dam 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 act in compliance with the best international engineering practices, focusing on the safety of the people who work and live close to the structure.


 

​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. 
 

Due to the updating of information regarding the Norte / Laranjeiras dam, of the Brucutu mine, in the municipality of Barão de Cocais, MG, the Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) related to the structure was expanded on February 9, 2021. Under the coordination of the Civil Defense and in collaboration with other competent authorities and Vale, in the next few days, the scheduled removal of residents in the area corresponding to the expansion of the ZAS will begin, respecting the health and safety protocols recommended during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company will provide shelter and all necessary assistance to the families until the situation is normalized. The company reinforces that the ZAS originally identified for the structure already had a previous removal process completed.



The company also informs that there are no changes in the safety conditions of the structure. The updating of information regarding the scenarios of dam failure is in line with the conservative approach to risk management and in compliance with the provisions of the Term of Commitment signed between the State of Minas Gerais, the Public Prosecutors' Office of Minas Gerais and Vale, which defined new parameters for updating flood spots. The Norte/Laranjeiras dam has no longer received tailings and has ongoing works for safety and stability conditions improvement. 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 informs that today it started, on a preventive basis, the Level 2 emergency protocol for the Norte/Laranjeiras dam, of the Brucutu mine, in the municipality of Barão de Cocais, MG.
 

​Vale has been in the Amazon for more than 30 years helping to protect approximately 800 thousand hectares of rainforest in partnership with Brazil’s ICMBio. 
 

Vale seeks to be a tireless protagonist towards the neutrality of GHG emissions in the steel, metallurgical and shipping industries and in this sense and in this context, the company updated its climate change policy with strategies to become carbon neutral by 2050.
 

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


 

Vale updated the information on Goals and Deadlines in line with its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050.


 

To know Vale's ESG Action Plan, access Our Strategy and Commitments 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.
 

The total amount so far invested in these countries exceeds USD 2,2 million for actions to tackle the spread of the virus and treat the disease.

Since the end of January, Vale has taken all measures required to support the prevention of COVID-19 in its operations and to contribute to the regions in which it operates. Globally, the company complies with the health and safety protocols established by the authorities and agencies of each country and aims to support government initiatives in order to alleviate the burden on health care systems. Among the initiatives are donations for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), health care supplies, hygiene materials, rapid test kits, and the swab test for detecting the virus.

However, humanitarian actions are not limited to the acquisition of inputs. In Indonesia, isolation rooms for the intensive care of patients have been set up and equipped; it was an initiative by Vale Indonesia Tbk in support of the Government of the eastern region of Luwu and the Provincial Government of South Sulawesi. Aiming to help Chinese hospitals and their teams address the health challenge, Vale has donated RMB3.3 million to the Chinese Red Cross Foundation. In Canada, in response to Sudbury Food Bank's request for financial support, USD 100,000 was allocated to the Cash for Cans campaign, which sustains the growing demand for food during the pandemic. Aiming to support the Mozambican Government, a memorandum of support to tackle the disease was signed in addition to supplies amounting to almost USD 2,000,000.00 (two million US dollars). This aid includes several hygiene materials, hospital equipment, personal protection items for health care professionals, and 80,000 rapid tests. To contribute to the well-being of the communities in which it operates, Vale Malaysia Minerals (VMM) has donated 20,000 COVID-19 test kits to the Malaysian Ministry of Health, in addition to donations to Manjung – where the maritime terminal of Teluk Rubiah operates –, totaling RM 85,000.

The support for the countries in which Vale operates is continuous to containing the pandemic. The company has planned new donations for actions to tackle the spread of the virus and treat the disease.

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

China

Action to support the Chinese Red Cross Foundation – RMB 3.3 million

•     Purchase of health care supplies, including protective clothing, masks, goggles, and other required materials.

Canada 

Action to support the Sudbury Food Bank – USD 100,000

•     Donation to the Cash for Cans campaign, which is designed to meet the demand for food during the pandemic. Sudbury Food Bank is a central food distributor for 44 food banks and meal suppliers across Greater Sudbury. Currently, these agencies support 8,500 people per month, and this number is expected to grow due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other Actions

Vale has launched the COVID-19 Challenge, which will provide USD 1,000,000 to develop solutions against the disease, including risk monitoring and prevention as well as patient monitoring. Also, there is an Open Challenge category, which covers other topics. Companies, startups, institutions, government, universities, and professionals have been invited to participate.

Mozambique

Actions to support the Mozambican Government – USD 2,000,000.00

•     Hygiene materials, hospital equipment, and personal protective items for health care professionals.

•     Donation of 80 thousand rapid tests.

•     Donation of PPE for the Health area, such as gloves, masks, goggles, boots, safety overalls, and aprons.

•     Donation of hygiene material, including electric sprayers, alcohol for disinfection, and soap bars. 

•     Provision of hospital equipment, such as infusion pumps, sample collection kits, aspirators, and defibrillators.

Other Actions

•     Creation of a 24-hour helpline number designed to share daily information about COVID-19, additionally to the Internal Communication channels, with direct and third-party employees.

Indonesia

Actions to support the Government of the eastern region of Luwu    

• Donation of 10 hospital beds, disinfectant liquid, thermal guns, protective clothing, surgical masks, N95 masks, and rubber gloves. 

•     Donation of 13 hospital beds for isolation rooms at the Burau Community Health Center, two ventilation units for Hospital I Lagaligo, and 13 thermal guns to be used in six control stations under the supervision of GTPP COVID-19 at the eastern region of Luwu.

Actions to support the Provincial Government of South Sulawesi

Donation of 800 N95 masks, 800 surgical masks, 200 rubber gloves, and 100 units of protective clothing for medical teams through the GTPP COVID-19 at South Sulawesi. Donation of an ambulance for a one-year operational period and 1,000 units of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as rubber gloves, for the Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital. 

Other Actions

Vale Indonesia Tbk is conducting mass-scale COVID-19 testing among all employees and service providers in its operational areas of Sorowako, East Luwu Regency, and South Sulawesi. It also plans to progressively cover all 3,000 direct employees and almost 7,000 third-party employees. The planning is expected to test almost 500 people every day. At the same time, rapid tests are also being carried out at Bahodopi (Central Sulawesi) and Pomalaa (South Sulawesi).

Malaysia

Actions to support the Government and Ministry of Health of Malaysia – RM 85,000

•     Donation of 20,000 COVID-19 test kits.

•     Donation of RM 25,000 for supplies to the Manjung District and Land Office aiming the creation of new COVID-19 screening centers.

•     Donation of RM 55,000 for the purchase of eight Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) to support the health care at the Manjung Hospital.

•     Donation of RM 5,000 for thermometers and PPE to Manjung immigration officers, who are on the frontlines, supporting the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

​ Vale  informs that it has initiated, in a preventive manner, the Level 1 emergency protocol of the Dicão Leste dam, of the Fazendão Mine in Catas Altas (MG), a protocol that does not require the evacuation of the population downstream of the dam.

​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, following the Notice to Shareholders published on 03/30/2020 and 04/15/2020 (“Notices to Shareholders”), informs that, due to the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) and pursuant to CVM Instruction No. 622/2020, the Company's Ordinary and Extraordinary Meetings of Shareholders (“AGM/E”) will be held, cumulatively, on 04/30/2020, at 10 am, exclusively by digital means. The Company also informs on the flexibility of the date for sending the distant voting ballot (“BVD”) directly to Vale.

​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. 

​The Sustainability Report presents Vale’s actions and learnings from the breach of Dam I of the Córrego do Feijão mine, in Brumadinho (Minas Gerais, Brazil). It also describes the managerial changes made to business processes since the event, in addition to economic, environmental and social performance of the organization.

​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 informs that it continues to improve its Tailings Management System (“TMS”), with the support of international experts, and brings updates regarding its structures.

​Vale has been following the evolution of the coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19) in Brazil and aiming to preserve the integrity of its employees, service providers and shareholders at the Annual Extraordinary and General Meetings’ (“AGM/E”), which will be held, cumulatively, on April 30th, 2020, the Company encourages the remote participation of shareholders as an option for in-person participation.

​Vale  in continuity with the press release dated March 11th, 2020, informs that the Board of Directors appointed the third member to compose the Audit Committee.

​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.​

Vale continue to monitor and report to authorities about the Gongo Soco mine. The construction of the tailings containment structure located in the proximity of the Sul Superior dam was completed.​

​Vale states on the new Bill 191/2020 which is being processed in the National Congress and aims to regulate economic activities, such as Mining, in Indigenous Lands.

​Final report prepared by the Extraordinary Independent Consulting Committee for Support and Reparation was released with recommendations and monitoring of action plans related to the Brumadinho event.

​Vale is committed with all efforts and resources to mitigate the possible impacts related to the incident with the MV Stellar Banner vessel, owned and operated by the South Korean.

​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.

​Vale update on the decharacterization plan, including Doutor and Campo Grande dams and the three drained stacks structures.

​The Expert Panel assessment of the technical causes of the failure of Dam I at the Córrego do Feijão Mine in Brumadinho is available.

​Vale is announcing new commitments for 2030 and, in addition, mapped its GAPs in ESG and brought them together in an Action Plan for monitoring and alignment with best practices. Check out the action plan.

The temporary suspension of disposal of tailings of the Brucutu was a proactive conservative measure of the company while assessing the dam’s geotechnical characteristics.