On January 25, 2019, a tailings dam collapsed at our Córrego do Feijão mine, in the city of Brumadinho, state of Minas Gerais. The dam was built in 1976 by a German mining company and was purchased by Vale in 2001. Since July 2016, the dam had been inactive, out of operation, and at the time of the collapse, the decommissioning process was under study, with some tests being carried out to evaluate the best way to decommission the dam.
The collapse released a flow of tailings that reached our administrative area at the Córrego do Feijão mine and the communities of Córrego do Feijão and Parque da Cachoeira, outside Brumadinho, as well as the surroundings of the Paraopeba River. The collapse resulted in 270 fatalities, including two pregnant women. The incident also caused material and environmental damage in the region. Among the victims, two remain missing, and searches continue at the site with the support of the fire department.
We will never forget Brumadinho. We reaffirm our respect for the victims and their families, prioritizing the integral reparation of Brumadinho and are committed to the non-repetition of another dam breach.
Reparation: A summary of the reparation actions taken to date can be found in our Annual Report (current version), as well as in the Integrated Report and the Reparation Day by Day magazine.
Emergency Actions: Immediately after the dam breach, Vale took emergency measures in Brumadinho to assist victims, their families, and the community (including Indigenous peoples and traditional communities). These initiatives included the payment of emergency aid and compensation, provision of temporary housing and basic necessities, water (for the community, animals, and agricultural use), health care (including psychological support), animal rescue and shelter, supply of animal feed for agriculture, and local transportation, as well as payments to public agencies for additional community assistance. Vale also created service points for the local population. At the same time, the company carried out emergency works to contain the tailings and provided resources for search and rescue missions with the support of the fire department, including cutting-edge equipment and necessary infrastructure. For details on these emergency actions, please refer to the Reparation Routine reports available here.
Integral Reparation Agreement
In February 2021, we signed an Integral Reparation Agreement with government authorities, committing to the integral reparation, implementing actions to restore and remediate the community and the environment. The agreement totals R$ 37.7 billion for the complete reparation to be concluded within 10 years, including R$ 6.3 billion disbursed until February 2021, R$ 11.4 billion in obligations for implementing projects (“To-do”), and R$ 19.9 billion to pay public authorities.
The reparation works within the agreement cover three categories of obligations: socioenvironmental obligations, socioeconomic obligations, and other compensatory measures.
- Socioenvironmental obligations aim to restore the environment and compensate (financially or otherwise) for impacts, damages, or losses caused by the dam collapse. Compensation for known environmental damages is R$ 1.55 billion, and environmental recovery is estimated at R$ 5.0 billion.
- Other compensatory measures, totaling R$ 303 million, include agreements signed with the Civil Defense program, the fire department, among others.
- Before socioeconomic initiatives and projects are carried out for Brumadinho and the other 25 municipalities affected in the Paraopeba basin, consultations are held with affected individuals to prioritize investments. Projects for the Paraopeba basin total R$ 2.5 billion (+ payment obligations), and for Brumadinho, R$ 1.5 billion.
Progress on the Integral Reparation Agreement
In May, 2026, overall, Vale completed 83% of the economic progress of the agreement (54% of the “To Do” repair works and 98% of the “To Pay” repair works) according to the schedule. It is estimated that 100% of the payment obligations will be fulfilled by 2026. The “To Do” obligations are expected to be completed by 2031, fulfilling 100% of the Integral Judicial Reparation Agreement.
Financial commitment: As a result of the dam failure, the Company recognized provisions to meet its assumed obligations to the remediation of the impacted areas and compensation to society.
Individual indemnification: Individual indemnification was not covered by the Integral Reparation Agreement. For the individual indemnification, Vale formalized an agreement with the Public Defender’s Office of the State of Minas Gerais in April 2019, under which those affected by Brumadinho’s dam failure may join an individual or a family group out-of-court settlement agreement for the indemnification of material, economic and moral damages. This agreement establishes the basis for a wide range of indemnification payments, which were defined according to the best practices and case law of Brazilian Courts, following rules and principles of the United Nations. As of May 2026, 92% of the extrajudicial compensation cases have been completed. Vale has paid R$ 4 billion in indemnifications for approximately 17,600 people. For more information on the indemnity program, please visit: Indemnity - Vale.
Water monitoring
The quality of the waters of the Paraopeba River has shown consistent signs of recovery, being more evident during dry periods, when results are similar to or better than historical reference values. Information on water monitoring and quality can be found on our Environmental Reparation page. These results are consistent with monitoring data from the Minas Gerais Institute for Water Management (IGAM) (read more in the Assessment of Water and Sediment Quality of the Paraopeba River: Monitoring of Water Quality in the Paraopeba River Five Years After the Collapse of the Córrego do Feijão Mine Dam of Vale S.A – Brumadinho/MG and in the Citizen Information Bulletin No. 74, July 2025).
Socio-economic development
To support socioeconomic development in the region, several initiatives have been created to improve quality of life, increase local tourism, and support residents’ livelihoods. These initiatives are planned based on active engagement with communities to meet their needs. This includes the delivery of the Community Marketplace, the Culture and Handicraft Center, the Community Square, and the Soccer Field—structures that have been embraced by the Córrego do Feijão community through use and participatory management. These spaces have boosted income generation, promoted a networked economy, strengthened the local economy, and expanded opportunities for business, leisure, and culture, contributing to economic revitalization and tourism development while respecting local memory and culture.
In addition, structural actions have been implemented in Brumadinho, such as the Sustainable Tourism Program, which supports tourism promotion, workforce qualification, and the attraction of new businesses. There are also initiatives to promote family farming and the implementation of agroforestry systems, expanding job opportunities and productive diversification in the region.
Currently, 485 local associations and small businesses are being supported in Brumadinho and the Paraopeba Basin, directly and indirectly impacting more than 20,000 people in the region.
Social and infrastructure projects are also planned with active consultation with communities and in partnership with the public sector. The focus is on improving quality of life and collective well-being, with an emphasis on creating local jobs. Initiatives include building daycare centers, public squares, sidewalks, and investing in medical equipment.
For more information on the Reparation works, please visit the Brumadinho page.
Community member participation in the decision-making of the Reparation actions
The initiatives in the Integral Reparation Agreement are planned with active consultation of community members, municipal governments, the state government of Minas Gerais, regulatory and oversight agencies, the judiciary, and audit support, all of which contribute according to the respective initiative for the joint development of solutions. Community members include Indigenous peoples and traditional communities, in accordance with ILO Convention 169.
Accountability and Independent Audit
Our commitment to integral reparation for the Brumadinho disaster includes transparency in managing the entire process and maintaining constant dialogue and communication at each stage. Every six months, we publish a report (available here) on ongoing initiatives, including funds invested, major projects completed, and other details.
Our Vale+ Comunidade publication provides monthly updates on key initiatives, presented separately for Brumadinho and the Paraopeba River Basin and its 25 municipalities (excluding Brumadinho).
Additionally, the Pro-Brumadinho portal, coordinated by the compliance enforcement agencies provides detailed information on ongoing initiatives and projects as well as the entire history of the development of this instrument. This committee is supported by independent audits to assist in decision-making on socioeconomic reparation projects (Getulio Vargas Foundation) and socioenvironmental projects (AECOM), as well as financial auditing (E&Y). Learn more here.
Besides Vale´s regular listening channels, we also have a specific Reparation support line (0800-031-0831) for any stakeholders that would like to contact Vale regarding the reparation or indemnification process.
What caused the dam breach?
Immediately after the dam breach, Vale’s Board of Directors assembled an independent panel of experts, composed of world-class specialists in geotechnics and engineers to investigate the causes of the dam breach. The report, along with ten appendices and a concise explanatory video (available here) revealed that multiple factors, including small and cumulative events combined with a potentially very brittle behavior of its tailings could have triggered the rupture. The brittle behavior is a relevant finding because with the traditional approach to evaluating the stability of dams used at that time, it would be concluded that the dam is stable and safe.
At the same time, the Brazilian Public Prosecutors contracted a separate study (available here) which revealed that due to a particularly unfavorable combination of circumstances at a specific area inside of the dam, including regular drilling by a specialized company as part of the regular dam monitoring, worked as a trigger which led to the liquefaction of the structure. Nonetheless, this separate study also concluded, through numerical analysis, that if the drilling of this one well in this specific area had not been conducted, the dam would remain stable for another 100 years.
These studies were a game changer for dam management and created significant changes in industry standards.
Vale’s transformation
Brumadinho was a milestone that drove profound transformations at Vale, especially in governance and dam safety. The company adopted the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), intensified geotechnical monitoring, implemented independent audits, and invested in the decharacterization of upstream structures. Vale also began investing in technologies to reduce reliance on dams and promote circular mining, in addition to starting a cultural transformation journey and establishing ambitious ESG commitments.
For information on:
- Our targets and current progress toward our commitments, visit Our Commitments.
- Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), visit GISTM.
- Dam management and safety, visit Dams.
- Circular Mining, visit Circular Mining.
Last update in July 2026.
Vale does not conduct mineral exploration or mining activities of any kind within Indigenous Lands in Brazil. The company strictly complies with applicable legislation and is committed to the process of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) with Indigenous communities. Vale further states that its current production plan does not consider mineral resources or mineral reserves located within Indigenous Lands in Brazil.
Vale’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Communities is guided by its Global Human Rights Policy, which is aligned with key international standards on the subject, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The company also considers the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) Position Statement on Mining and Indigenous Peoples, ILO Convention No. 169, among other international references, as well as the legislation applicable in the countries where Vale operates.
Regarding allegations of contamination of the Cateté River and health issues allegedly caused by impacts from the Onça Puma Mine on the Xikrin do Cateté Indigenous People, expert reports prepared by court-appointed specialists linked to the Federal Civil and Criminal Court of Redenção concluded that the operation is not the source of contamination of the river. The reports confirm that Vale conducts environmental monitoring in accordance with the conditions established by regulatory authorities and adopts appropriate control measures to mitigate potential impacts on water resources. The scientific analyses carried out demonstrated the absence of a causal link between the Onça Puma mining operation and the alleged contamination of the Cateté River. In addition, it is important to note the existence of other potentially polluting activities in the region, such as illegal mining, the use of agricultural chemicals, and deforestation.
The Itacaiúnas River Basin, which includes the Cateté River and its tributaries, naturally contains metals such as iron, manganese, nickel, lead, and others, due to the geology of the region—a fact also identified in the judicial expert reports. In many cases, these elements occur naturally in water and soil at elevated concentrations. This condition was documented in the Environmental Impact Study (EIA) and the Environmental Impact Report (RIMA) prepared in 2004, well before the beginning of operations at the Onça Puma Mine, as part of the project’s environmental licensing process. It was further supported by background studies and confirmed by judicial experts. The experts also identified elevated concentrations of metals in another watercourse within the basin—the Seco River—which is distant from the operation site and flows into the Cateté River downstream from the mining operation.
Vale reiterates that it maintains a systematic and continuous monitoring program for surface water and effluents associated with the Onça Puma operation, with historical records dating back to 2008. The results of this monitoring are regularly submitted to the Pará State Secretariat for Environment and Sustainability (SEMAS-PA), which, in 2023, confirmed the operational compliance of the project through a technical report evaluating fulfillment of the established conditions. This conclusion is consistent with the findings of the court-appointed experts linked to the Federal Civil and Criminal Court of Redenção and reinforces Vale’s commitment to respecting the communities neighboring its operations.
Despite the evidence demonstrating the absence of a causal relationship between the Onça Puma operation and the health conditions of the Xikrin do Cateté Indigenous People, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office filed a new Public Civil Action in 2025 against the Federal Government, the State of Pará, and Vale, alleging responsibility for the health conditions of the Indigenous population and requesting the implementation of measures aimed at improving this situation. In this new legal proceeding, Vale reiterated the regularity and legitimacy of the Onça Puma operation and the effectiveness of its impact control and mitigation mechanisms as grounds excluding the Company from liability.
With regard to the Xikrin do Cateté People, the agreement signed within the scope of the Onça Puma Public Civil Action—which addresses environmental issues related to the Cateté River as well as other socioeconomic matters associated with the Onça Puma operation, Salobo, S11D, Carajás Railway, and the Alemão Project—resolved nearly all judicial disputes.
Regarding the Kayapó People, who were also parties to the original Onça Puma Public Civil Action, the agreement signed and ratified by the Judiciary likewise resolved the dispute involving that group. It is important to note that the Kayapó Indigenous Land is located more than 30 kilometers from the Onça Puma operation and outside the Cateté River Basin; therefore, it has no environmental connection with either the project or the Cateté River itself.
Since the signing of these agreements, relationships with these Indigenous Peoples have been strengthened, and voluntary initiatives aimed at promoting empowerment and autonomy have been developed in alignment with Vale’s relationship strategy, focused on building trust, autonomy, resilience, and mutual benefits. Examples include initiatives supporting the ethnodevelopment of the Xikrin People, particularly the Xikrin do Cateté Culture and Memory Appreciation Project.
With the Kayapó People, Vale supported the development of the Territorial and Environmental Management Plan (PGTA) and the Consultation Protocol, which was prepared by the Protected Forest Indigenous Association and approved during the General Assembly of Chiefs and Leaders of the Kayapó Indigenous Land, held in Gorotire Village in January 2024.
This initiative is part of Vale’s Indigenous Rights Agenda, through which the company has committed to supporting, by 2030, the development of at least one structured initiative—such as Consultation Protocols, Territorial and Environmental Management Plans (PGTAs), or Life Plans—for 11 Indigenous Peoples in Brazil.
For more information about Vale’s Social Ambition for Indigenous Peoples, visit: https://vale.com/esg/indigenous-peoples-and-traditional-communities
Last updated in July 2026.
Inaugurated in the 1980s, the Carajás Railway (EFC) spans 972 kilometers, connecting the Carajás mines in southeastern Pará to the Ponta da Madeira Maritime Terminal in São Luís (MA). Approximately 350,000 passengers use the railway each year. In addition, the EFC transports cargo such as iron ore, pig iron, manganese, copper, fuels, and coal, which are essential to the regional economy.
In the states of Maranhão and Pará, the railway passes near various territories of Indigenous Peoples, Quilombola Communities, and other Traditional Communities. These populations are recognized for their unique relationship with the territory, which encompasses not only physical and socioeconomic aspects but also cultural.
Since the 1980s, during the construction of the EFC, Vale has maintained relationships with these communities. Currently, engagement activities are carried out by dedicated professionals with multidisciplinary backgrounds and experience in the field. It is important to note that Vale’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Communities is guided by its Global Human Rights Policy, which aligns with key international references such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Also considered are the International Council on Mining and Metals’ Position Statement on Mining and Indigenous Peoples, ILO Convention No. 169, among others, as well as the legislation of the countries where Vale operates.
The company operates with respect for the rights of these communities, managing risks and impacts of its operations and upholding the process of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), while also contributing to institutional strengthening and the appreciation of traditional ways of life, aiming for value sharing and partnership.
Maranhão – Indigenous Peoples
In Maranhão, Vale maintains relationships with the Awá-Guajá, Guajajara, and Ka’apor Indigenous Peoples, whose territories include the Caru, Rio Pindaré, Awá, and Alto Turiaçu Indigenous Lands. The interface with the Carajás Railway (EFC) occurs in the Caru Indigenous Land, which borders the railway operation, and in the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Land, located approximately 2 km from the railway. The other Indigenous Lands were also considered due to the presence of villages and isolated groups of the Awá-Guajá People, respecting this community’s relationship with and use of their territory. The specificities of these Indigenous Peoples have been and continue to be respected throughout the EFC expansion process, in accordance with Brazilian legislation, international principles, and Vale’s internal policies.
Long-term agreements have been established with these communities to support actions for territorial protection, preservation and conservation of natural resources, economic sustainability, income generation, cultural and institutional strengthening, productive activities, and other initiatives that contribute to the ethnodevelopment of these communities. The development and monitoring of these agreements involve Funai as an intervening party in the various instruments signed.
Since 2016, the company has been implementing obligations associated with the operation of the Carajás Railway (EFC) through the Indigenous Component of the Environmental Basic Plan (CI-PBA) for the Awá-Guajá and Guajajara Peoples, which is governed and managed jointly with the Indigenous communities. Among the initiatives carried out, notable examples include actions aimed at cultural strengthening and ethnodevelopment, such as the construction of cultural centers, traditional kitchens, facilities for fish farming and agricultural production, as well as territorial protection measures, including the provision of equipment and the training of more than 200 Indigenous guardians.
Vale also maintains a Cooperation and Commitment Agreement with the Guajajara, Awa-Guajá, and Ka’apor Peoples, which includes actions for institutional strengthening and infrastructure projects and territorial protection.
Maranhão – Indigenous Peoples
The long-term agreements aim to support initiatives focused on territorial protection, the preservation and conservation of natural resources, economic sustainability, income generation, cultural and institutional strengthening, as well as productive activities that contribute to the ethnodevelopment of Indigenous communities. The National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Funai) participates as an intervening party in the various agreements and instruments executed.
In addition to the actions established under formal agreements and commitments, Vale also develops voluntary initiatives with the three Indigenous Peoples, including projects focused on infrastructure, improvements to internal village access roads, and cultural strengthening. A notable example is the Vidas Indígenas Maranhão – Ka’apor and Awá-Guajá Peoples program, carried out in partnership with the Museum of the Person (Museu da Pessoa), which seeks to value Indigenous life stories through the preservation and dissemination of their culture.
Another relevant initiative is the Indigenous Health Cycle project, which promotes health and education activities within Indigenous territories. The project seeks to strengthen the relationship between the Indigenous Multidisciplinary Health Teams (EMSI) and the communities through intercultural strategies that improve communication and expand access to comprehensive and culturally appropriate healthcare.
Members of the Guajajara People from the Caru Indigenous Land and the Ka’apor People from the Alto Turiaçu Indigenous Land also participated in training sessions on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights promoted by Vale in 2023. At the request of the communities, the Environmental Management, Climate Change, and Political Action Course, designed and delivered by the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO), began in 2025 as part of the implementation of the Territorial and Environmental Management Plans (PGTA) for the Rio Pindaré and Caru Indigenous Lands, with completion scheduled for August 2026. In 2024, the Ka’apor People began developing their Life Plan, which was completed in 2025 and is scheduled to be formally launched in August 2026.
In February 2026, the Awá-Guajá People responded positively to a consultation regarding their interest in participating in the Indigenous Rights Agenda, defining the themes and actions to be developed through 2027. The consultation process included the participation of community leaders, members from all villages, and representatives of Funai.
Pará – Indigenous Peoples
In another section of the Carajás Railway (EFC), in the state of Pará, in the municipality of Bom Jesus do Tocantins, Vale has maintained relationships with the Parkatêjê, Kyikatêjê, and Akrãtikatêjê groups of the Gavião Indigenous People from the Mãe Maria Indigenous Land since the 1980s.
Over the years, partnerships and support initiatives have been formalized with the Gavião community, including actions in the areas of health, education, productive activities, protection, ethnodevelopment, income generation, and territorial monitoring.
In line with its Global Human Rights Policy, Vale is committed to respecting these communities and maintaining ongoing dialogue and engagement. In this context, the company supported the development of the Life Plan for the Indigenous Peoples of the Mãe Maria Indigenous Land, through a participatory methodology that promoted reflection and discussion on strategies to improve their quality of life and guide ongoing projects and activities.
As part of the environmental licensing process for the EFC expansion works, an Indigenous Component – Environmental Basic Plan (CI-PBA) was developed. Like the plan prepared for the Indigenous communities neighboring the EFC in Maranhão, it was conducted with the support of specialized consultants and approved by the Indigenous communities. The CI-PBA includes programs designed to mitigate and/or compensate for the impacts of the EFC expansion identified in the Indigenous Component Study (ECI), which was prepared as an integral part of the environmental licensing process for the section adjacent to the Mãe Maria Indigenous Land. Among the programs currently being implemented under the CI-PBA are initiatives related to productive activities, cultural strengthening, strengthening Indigenous organizations, territorial protection, and environmental and territorial management. These programs were approved in December 2022 and remain ongoing.
On a voluntary basis, Vale has also supported the Gavião People in strengthening their institutions and associations through workshops, training, and capacity-building initiatives, including topics related to resource management and governance.
It is important to note that all Vale activities that may affect the community are communicated in advance by the company, thereby implementing the process of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and seeking to maintain a transparent and good-faith relationship with the Indigenous communities neighboring the EFC.
For more information on Vale’s work with Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Communities, please visit the relevant webpage.
Last updated in July 2026.
Background
The neighborhood of Piquiá de Baixo, located in the municipality of Açailândia, Maranhão, originated in the 1970s when workers migrated to the region attracted by opportunities in agriculture, livestock, sawmill operations, and the construction of the BR-222 highway, which connected the interior of the state to the capital, São Luís.
Beginning in the 1980s, with the implementation of the Carajás Project, the region underwent a process of industrialization, driven mainly by the arrival of pig iron-producing steel plants and the construction of the Carajás Railway (EFC), through which iron ore extracted in Carajás, Pará, is transported to the port of São Luís, Maranhão.
This industrialization process generated environmental and social impacts on the lives of local residents. Since the 1990s, community members, together with organizations and social movements, have advocated for the management, mitigation, and compensation of impacts caused by companies operating in the region, as well as improvements in quality of life, including the relocation of families from Piquiá de Baixo.
Following the publication of reports containing allegations of human rights violations by companies operating in the area, Vale proactively engaged stakeholders to improve impact management, including proposing the creation of a community management committee to monitor actions.
It is important to note that Vale does not conduct or promote mining activities (ore extraction or processing) in Açailândia. Nor does it own a pig iron production plant in the Açailândia Industrial Chemical Park (Piquiá), Maranhão, and it has no dependency or subordinate relationship with the steel companies operating in the territory. Vale’s relationship with companies in the sector is strictly commercial, when requested to supply iron ore originating from Pará. In this context, Vale has always sought to comply rigorously with environmental regulations, maintaining controls and monitoring across all ore-related operations, while remaining attentive to the community’s social concerns and actively participating in discussions and solutions alongside public authorities and steel companies.
Vale considers environmental factors and all applicable legislation and manages its processes using available technologies for environmental control, preventing and mitigating impacts. Vale’s social performance is guided by an ongoing process of managing the risks and impacts of its activities on neighboring communities and supporting territorial development. Through alliances and partnerships, the company continually seeks solutions to challenges faced by communities and society.
In the Piquiá region, Vale conducts activities in a participatory manner, focused on contributing to integrated territorial development through initiatives organized around priority pillars: Housing, Environmental, Social, and Institutional, all defined through ongoing dialogue with the community.
Housing Pillar
Since 2017, Vale and Fundação Vale, through voluntary investments, have implemented cooperation agreements with the Piquiá Community Association and Caixa Econômica Federal aimed at constructing 312 houses for the new community neighborhood known as “Piquiá da Conquista.” The homes were delivered in October 2024 during a ceremony organized by the Federal Government and the Ministry of Cities, with Vale’s participation.
The project received R$ 45 million in investments from Vale and Fundação Vale, in addition to institutional support with public agencies and collaboration with municipal, state, and federal government entities. The State Government delivered a Primary Healthcare Unit and initiated construction of a market, school, sports court, and family square.
Beyond its investment in the construction of Piquiá da Conquista, Vale acted proactively, in dialogue with the National Secretariat for Social Dialogue, the Municipality of Açailândia, and Caixa Econômica Federal, to address the community’s request for waivers of housing financing payments, subject to family eligibility through the Federal Social Registry (CADÚnico) and the Continuous Cash Benefit Program (BPC). This request was under review by Caixa, with more than 100 families considered eligible.
Environmental Pillar
Vale continues implementing actions aimed at mitigating particulate emissions during the road transportation of iron ore between Vale facilities and industrial plants through road paving, maintenance, and cleaning activities in partnership with local authorities.
The company also monitors, together with the industrial plants operating in the area, the decommissioning of steel furnaces and compliance with applicable legal and market environmental standards, reinforcing Vale’s commitment to supporting initiatives that benefit the entire Piquiá region.
Social and Institutional Pillar
Within the social and institutional sphere, Vale is implementing a participatory Socioeconomic Development Plan for Piquiá.
Developed through cross-sector collaboration with public authorities and other regional companies, the plan encompasses the following dimensions:
a) Community Strengthening
The assessment identified the need to establish a community headquarters to improve conditions for the representative group of the Piquiá region, which voluntarily works to strengthen local associations. This initiative was prioritized and will be implemented with Vale’s support beginning in November 2025.
b) Infrastructure
Focused on promoting sustainable and territorial development, Vale contributes to and invests in initiatives such as stormwater drainage works and long-term planning efforts including local revitalization.
In April 2026, Vale allocated R$ 1.9 million to the Municipality of Açailândia as a social contribution for drainage works in the Novo Horizonte neighborhood, adjacent to Piquiá da Conquista.
Construction of the headquarters of the Piquiá Association (Astepi) is also underway. Through the Community Relationship Plan (PRC), this initiative has supported the organization's development and integration into the region’s governance network.
The implementation of the new housing complex financed by Vale created a combined impact involving stormwater runoff from Piquiá da Conquista into Novo Horizonte. As a result, the need for a drainage system was identified. In response, Vale formalized the donation of complementary materials for the drainage project to the Municipality of Açailândia, following recommendations from the Secretariat for Social Dialogue of the Presidency of the Republic and the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Maranhão/Açailândia. The municipal infrastructure department will execute the works.
c) Health
Vale and Fundação Vale, through the Health and Social Protection Cycle Project (CSPS), have been strengthening primary healthcare and expanding access to health and social assistance services, particularly for vulnerable populations. This has been achieved through infrastructure improvements, procurement of supplies and equipment, and training of health and social assistance professionals.
In the Piquiá region, the CSPS operates in three health clinics (UBS Piquiá da Conquista, UBS José Francisco, and UBS Plano da Serra) and in the CRAS Piquiá Social Assistance Reference Center.
In 2025, the project trained 460 professionals from Brazil’s public health and social assistance systems and donated 968 information technology items, including notebooks and tablets, to the municipality of Açailândia. These resources supported patient monitoring and planning activities within the public health and social assistance systems.
d) Education
Vale supported training programs for Maranhão’s state and municipal public education networks through a Fundação Vale initiative in partnership with FGV, known as Tracks of Literacy (Trilhos da Alfabetização), which also benefits the Piquiá region.
The company also supported renovations to Piquiá de Baixo Almirante Barroso School in 2023, benefiting 136 students.
Through the Routes and Literary Networks project, Fundação Vale renovated and equipped reading rooms in Piquiá schools, donated book collections, and trained education professionals on reading-related topics. Approximately 6,000 books were donated to schools in Açailândia, including 630 books for Piquiá.
In 2025, Vale contributed to literacy initiatives for children in the first five years of elementary education at two schools (EM Eduardo Pereira Duarte and EM Darcy Ribeiro). A total of 479 students benefited, and 22 professionals received training.
e) Employment and Income Generation
To promote local entrepreneurship and income generation, Fundação Vale operates the AGIR Program (Support for Income Generation and Enhancement), which supports five community businesses in Açailândia.
Through AGIR, entrepreneurs receive specialized consulting in business management and operations, customized training, support in partnership development and fundraising, and seed capital for business structuring and expansion.
The program also supports the Piquiá Open Market, a venture composed of 26 entrepreneurs who produce and market local products while promoting the preservation of regional culture and the use of public spaces.
Additionally, AGIR supports beekeepers associated with AAVA – Vale do Açailândia Agroindustrial Association. The honey is produced in an apiary area provided by Suzano through a technical cooperation partnership with Fundação Vale.
In 2025, Vale also implemented its Young Apprentice Program within the Piquiá community. In this edition, Vale offered 20 positions in an Electromechanical Technician training program, with practical experience in Maintenance or Operations. Participants were admitted in February 2025, with completion scheduled for 2027. Apprentices receive a stipend and additional benefits.
Vale reaffirms its commitment to continuing dialogue and building social development solutions with the Piquiá community, civil society organizations, public authorities, and private-sector partners in order to promote human rights, community empowerment, and stronger public policies and governance, generating sustainable outcomes for the region.
Last updated in July 2026.
Vale clarifies that, in October 2024, the Federal Supreme Court’s decision became final and unappealable (*trânsito em julgado*), confirming Vale S.A removal from the Ministry of Labor and Employment’s registry of employers, known as the “dirty list”, and definitively concluding legal proceedings on the matter. This outcome confirmed the final decision issued in August 2024 by the Regional Labor Court of the 3rd Region, which had declared null and void the infraction notice regarding slave labor.
Context
Vale's undue inclusion on the “dirty list” was related to an event that took place in February 2015, when the company Ouro Verde Locações e Serviços S.A., which provided transportation services for final products between the Pico and Fábrica mines for Vale S.A. in Minas Gerais, had its workplace inspected by the Ministry of Labor and Employment. The inspection revealed non-compliance with labor obligations regarding changing room conditions, cleanliness, access to water, and working hours, among others.
The Ministry of Labor and Employment, adopting a broad interpretation of the law, considered that the outsourcing of the transportation was illegal, arguing that it was part of Vale's core activities and that, therefore, Ouro Verde employees should be considered Vale employees. It is important to note that these workers were never deprived of their liberty, were duly registered, received adequate transportation, had their work cards signed, had no documents withheld nor had debt owed to the company, and were not in poor working conditions.
Due to the extensive interpretation of the legislation adopted by the Ministry of Labor and Employment, Vale S.A. was fined for alleged irregularities committed by Ouro Verde, including illegal outsourcing and modern slavery. As the fines were not consistent with the working reality of those service providers, Vale, in 2016, filed lawsuits to annul the fines related to outsourcing and the working conditions of third-party workers. The Company also reinforced the work of internal groups to identify and make continuous improvements to facilities and workstations.
Remediation actions in 2015
At the time Vale became aware of the findings in the infraction notice, the Company, in collaboration with the authorities, immediately corrected the labor irregularities incurred by the service provider and subsequently terminated the contract with Ouro Verde.
In addition, Vale developed a “forced labor prevention plan”, through which it improved its corporate governance system; began to carry out training on subcontracting with a focus on the protection of human rights; and hired external consultants to assist in the prevention of labor irregularities related to health, hygiene and safety at work, among other actions.
Long-term corrective and preventive measures
Human Rights Policy – Since 2009, Vale has a Human Rights Policy which establishes general guidelines and principles so that its actions respect and promote all human rights in the development of its activities and partnerships in its value chain.
Contract management – Vale has a contract management procedure for compliance with health and safety standards and construction sites (checklist for inspections).
Contractual clauses – The contractual clauses related to human rights issues allow the termination of the contract in the event of the use of modern slavery and non-compliance with labor legislation.
Strengthened dialogue – Dialogue between Vale and worker unions and labor organizations representing third-party workers has also been expanded.
Engagement with suppliers – Holding conferences, training and webinars and the Decent Work Caravans with the participation of the Regional Labor Secretariats.
Whistleblowing Channel – The Whistleblowing Channel was expanded to investigate possible irregularities, including those of suppliers and contractors.
Independent Human rights due diligence – Since 2019, the company has carried out independent human rights due diligence on its operations and supply chain. Based on the findings, corrective action plans are drawn up for the operations or suppliers, which are monitored by Vale.
Vale condemns any form of disrespect for human rights and degrading working conditions and reaffirms its commitment to maintaining decent working conditions and respecting human rights in all its activities.
For more information on human rights management of Vale's suppliers, visit the ESG Human Rights Portal.
Last update in July 2026.
The Tubarão Unit, located in Vitória (ES), concentrates Vale’s main operations in Espírito Santo. Spanning approximately 14 km², it encompasses the company’s railway, pelletizing, and port activities in the state. Around 20,000 people — including employees, contractors, suppliers, and visitors — circulate through the Tubarão Unit daily.
The history of the Tubarão Unit began in 1966 with the transfer of Vale’s port operations from the Atalaia and Paul docks in Vila Velha to a new location capable of meeting the growing demand for iron ore at the time. The Tubarão Port was already interconnected with the Vitória to Minas Railway (EFVM), becoming the driving force behind Vale’s activities in Espírito Santo and a springboard for the state — whose economy was previously centered on coffee — to diversify into other industrial and commercial sectors. The port handles the movement of iron ore, grains, fertilizers, and coal.
For decades, the company has invested in reducing particulate matter emissions from pelletizing activities and product handling at the Tubarão Unit. Technologies such as the application of dust suppressants on material stockpiles, electrostatic precipitators at processing plants, and wind barriers around storage yards are widely used environmental controls at the site.
Reinforcing its commitment to minimizing dust emissions, Vale has completed, in 2025, the Environmental Commitment Agreement (TCA) signed with public authorities and was celebrated a milestone in its Espírito Santo operations: a 93% reduction in diffuse dust emissions at the Tubarão Unit compared to 2010. This achievement results from an investment of approximately R$ 5 billion in the company’s Environmental Master Plan (PDA), launched in 2018.
The Tubarão PDA included actions aligned with recommendations from technical bodies, focusing on addressing sources of diffuse emissions from product movement in yards, conveyor belts, and piers. It also involved improvements to water management through the expansion of the facility's effluent storage and treatment capacity.
Approximately 160 projects were implemented, focusing on equipment improvements, enhanced internal controls, and studies of innovative solutions.
Key initiatives include the expansion of the internal monitoring network, operated by the Environmental Control Center, with 53 monitoring points to ensure continuous oversight of all controls; closure of 20,500 m² of temporary storage areas and wagon tippler zones; enclosure of conveyor belts — totaling 21 km of ore, pellet, and coal conveyors; installation of new wind fences, adding 6 km of structures up to 30 meters high — the first of their kind in Latin America — bringing the total to 16 km of wind barriers across all product storage yards at the Tubarão Unit.
Examples of adopted technologies:
• Conveyor enclosures: 21 km of fully enclosed or side-covered structures to reduce emissions;
• Wind fences: 6 additional km of barriers, up to 30 meters high, totaling 16 km at the site;
• Storage area enclosures: Over 20,500 m² of material handling areas covered;
• Dust suppressants: Applied to ore piles, made from cellulose fiber and PET plastic — the latter developed in partnership with the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES).
Vale recognizes the importance of this issue, reaffirms its commitment to transparency, and maintains an open, direct dialogue with communities, remaining available via the "Alô Vale" listening channel (0800 285 7000). The company also welcomes visitors to view its operations and progress in environmental management through daily tours of the Tubarão Unit, departing from the Botanical and Coastal Parks in Vitória.
It is also important to clarify that settleable dust, commonly known as "black dust," is composed of various elements from multiple sources, such as vehicles, construction, and industry, according to the Source Inventory of the State Environmental Institute (Iema).
Last update in July 2026.
On November 5, 2015, Samarco’s Fundão dam, located in Mariana, Minas Gerais, collapsed, causing 19 fatalities and releasing approximately 39.2 million cubic meters of tailings into the district of Bento Rodrigues, 8 kilometers from the dam. The tailings flowed along the Gualaxo do Norte River in Mariana, impacting the municipality of Barra Longa and ultimately reaching the Doce River, traveling approximately 670 kilometers and affecting 39 municipalities across the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo.
The Samarco Fundão Dam failure was a tragedy that will never be forgotten. As shareholders in a non-operated 50:50 joint venture, Vale and BHP have always remained committed to repairing the damages caused.
Original Framework Agreement (TTAC)
In March 2016, Samarco, Vale and BHP Brasil entered into a Conduct Adjustment and Settlement Agreement (“TTAC”) with the Brazilian Federal Government, the two Brazilian states affected by the dam failure (Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais), and other public authorities to establish remediation and compensation programs for the communities and areas impacted by the dam failure. Since 2016, the Renova Foundation had been responsible for implementing the remediation initiatives, with Vale and BHP acting as additional trustees jointly responsible for funding the Foundation. The TTAC established 42 social, economic and environmental remediation programs across the affected territories. A total of R$38 billion was invested in remediation and compensation actions carried out by the Renova Foundation.
Renegotiation of the Programs
Under the terms of the TTAC, a process was initiated in 2021 to renegotiate the 42 socio-economic and socio-environmental programs, aiming to achieve full reparation of the damages resulting from the Fundão dam failure and to establish more effective, efficient, comprehensive and transparent terms for the agreement. Samarco, BHP Brasil and Vale participated in a mediation process led by the Brazilian Federal Regional Court of the 6th Region, together with the Brazilian Federal Government, the affected state governments and other public entities, seeking a definitive resolution of the obligations arising from the TTAC, claims brought by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office and other claims made by public authorities in relation to the Samarco dam failure.
2024 Definitive Settlement in Brazil for the full reparation of Samarco’s Fundão Dam Failure
On October 25, 2024, Vale S.A., BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda. and Samarco Mineração S.A., together with the Federal Government of Brazil, the state governments of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, the Federal and State Prosecutors’ Offices, the Public Defenders’ Offices and other Brazilian public entities, entered into a comprehensive and definitive settlement regarding damages related to the Fundão dam failure (the “Definitive Settlement”). The Definitive Settlement was upheld by the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court on November 6, 2024.
The Definitive Settlement provided for the termination of the Renova Foundation and established the initiatives required for the definitive reparation of the damages caused by the Fundão dam failure. The liquidation of the Renova Foundation was completed in November 2025, with responsibility for remediation and reparation thereafter resting with Samarco, the signatory Brazilian public authorities and the municipalities that elected to adhere to the settlement. These responsibilities cover all socio-environmental damages and all collective and diffuse socio-economic damages arising from the dam failure, as set forth in the Definitive Settlement.
““The Definitive Settlement enabled a mutually beneficial resolution for all Parties under fair and effective terms, while creating legal certainty and finality. It is the result of a high-level mediation process conducted by the Brazilian Federal Regional Court of the 6th Region, with open dialogue and transparency. The engagement of Brazilian authorities and public entities ensured the legitimacy of the settlement, which was supported by social, environmental and technical criteria. This important agreement also reinforces our commitment to Brazilian society and to a better future for people, communities and the environment”, Gustavo Pimenta, Vale’s CEO.
Key financial commitments
The Definitive Settlement provides for an estimated total economic value of approximately R$170 billion¹, comprising past and future obligations to support the people, communities and environment impacted by the dam failure. It establishes three main categories of obligations:
| Amounts (100% basis) | Main categories of obligations |
|---|---|
R$100 billion |
Obligations to Pay – Installment payments² over a 20-year period to the Federal Government, the States of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, and municipalities to finance compensation programs and initiatives linked to public policies. |
R$32 billion |
Obligations to Perform – Samarco obligations, including individual indemnification initiatives, community resettlement and environmental recovery actions. |
R$38 billion |
Amounts already invested in remediation and compensation measures. |
R$170 billion total |
¹ Future obligations are presented on a real, undiscounted basis and will accrue inflation based on the Brazilian inflation index (IPCA).
² Adjusted by the Brazilian inflation index (IPCA).
- Obligations to pay: the funds will support multiple compensation initiatives, providing substantial resources for improvements in healthcare, sanitation, fishing activities and community funding, while also ensuring a dedicated approach to Indigenous and Traditional Communities and municipalities.
- Obligations to perform: Samarco will be responsible for carrying out certain obligations, including a voluntary and simplified individual indemnification system, measures aimed at the environmental recovery of the Doce River, and the completion of community resettlement programs, which have already reached 99% completion, with the expectation of reaching 100% by early 2027. Accordingly, part of the former Renova Foundation’s 42 programs has been transferred to Samarco or the relevant public authorities, while the remaining programs have been concluded.
- Funding of Samarco’s Remediation Obligations: according to the remaining terms of Samarco’s Judicial Reorganization Plan (in Portuguese: PRJ - Plano de Recuperação Judicial), Samarco has a funding cap of USD 1 billion for reparation and remediation obligations during the period from 2024 to 2030.
Additionally, if Samarco generates excess cash at the end of any year (after satisfying obligations such as working capital requirements, debt service, and remediation commitments), Vale and BHP Brasil may allocate 50% of such surplus to provide additional funding for remediation and compensation obligations.
As shareholders of Samarco, Vale and BHP Brasil are responsible for contributing to the financing of Samarco’s reparation obligations whenever Samarco is unable to do so.
- Water quality: since 2019/2020, water quality in the Doce River has returned to levels consistent with those observed prior to the Fundão dam failure in 2015. The river’s water quality meets the standards required for public water supply following appropriate treatment, including during periods of drought.
Water quality monitoring has been carried out since 2017 through the Systematic Qualitative and Quantitative Monitoring Program (PMQQS) and is expected to continue until 2039. The program is funded by the responsible companies, conducted by laboratories accredited under NBR ISO 17025, and audited by environmental authorities, including IBAMA and state regulatory agencies, as well as by independent auditors.
- Vale’s provision and cash outflow expectation: Vale reaffirms its commitment to supporting Samarco in repairing the damages caused by the Fundão dam failure, and to the shareholders’ previously agreed obligation to finance, up to a 50% share, the amounts that Samarco may eventually fail to fund as the primary obligor.
| Disbursed | 2026 (Excl. 1Q26) | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | Average annual 2032–2043 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mariana reparation – 100% (BRL bn) |
74.7 |
11.2 |
6.2 |
5.8 |
9.0 |
9.4 |
6.8 |
5.2 |
Vale contribution (BRL bn) |
- |
5.6 |
3.1 |
2.1 |
3.5 |
3.2 |
- |
- |
Vale contribution (USD bn) |
- |
1.1 |
0.6 |
0.4 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
- |
- |
Source: Vale 1Q26 Performance Report.
¹ Amounts stated in real terms.
² BRL/USD exchange rate of 5.2194 as of March 31, 2026. (Prior reference: 5.3186 as of September 30, 2025.)
³ Includes provision related to the UK Proceeding.
Legal Processes
- Processes in Brazil: Vale is a defendant in several legal proceedings brought by government authorities and civil associations alleging socio-environmental and socio-economic damages, as well as seeking remediation measures, in connection with Samarco’s Fundão dam failure. The execution of the Definitive Settlement provides a stable framework for the implementation of reparation and compensation measures related to the dam failure. The settlement also addresses 181 legal actions brought by the public authorities that are parties to the agreement. Relevant criminal proceedings involving Vale in connection with the Fundão and Brumadinho dam failures are described in Vale’s Form 20-F, on pages 179 and 182.
- International Claims (UK and the Netherlands): Vale believes the English and Dutch proceedings are unnecessary because they duplicate matters already covered by the remediation efforts undertaken by Samarco and the now-defunct Renova Foundation and/or by existing and ongoing legal settlements in Brazil.
- English Proceeding: BHP Group Limited and BHP Group (UK) Limited (BHP) are defendants in a class-action lawsuit before the High Court in London seeking damages resulting from the 2015 Fundão Dam failure (the “English Proceeding”). Following a ruling by the English Court in November 2025 recognizing BHP’s liability for the Fundão Dam failure, the Court of Appeal dismissed BHP’s application for permission to appeal in May 2026. Preparations continue for the Phase 2 trial, which will consider general issues regarding causation and the alleged damages, a stage that will require the production of evidence. The trial is currently scheduled to take place between April 2027 and March 2028.
- Dutch Proceeding: In March 2024, a new claim was brought against Vale and Samarco’s Dutch subsidiary before the Amsterdam District Court in the Netherlands seeking damages arising from the Fundão Dam failure (the “Dutch Proceeding”). Vale considers that the Netherlands is not the appropriate jurisdiction to hear and determine this claim. Jurisdictional defenses were submitted by Vale and Samarco NL in October 2025. In February 2026, the claimants filed their reply to those jurisdictional defenses. The jurisdiction hearing took place on 9 July 2026. At that hearing, judgment was tentatively scheduled for 14 October 2026, although the date may be postponed and, therefore, a decision may not be issued before 4Q26.
- BHP, BHP Brasil and Vale entered into a reciprocal agreement under which they agreed to share equally (50%/50%) any compensation that may be awarded in the English Proceedings or the Dutch Proceedings, to the extent that such compensation does not duplicate amounts already paid in Brazil. This agreement reinforces the commitment undertaken by Samarco’s shareholders since the execution of the TTAC in March 2016 with the Brazilian public authorities, pursuant to which each shareholder has committed to contribute, on a 50%/50% basis, the resources necessary to repair the damages arising from the dam failure should Samarco be unable to fund such obligations.
Detailed Terms of the Definitive Settlement – Renova Foundation
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
Parties
|
|
Settlement and releases
|
|
|
|
Municipalities (Obligations to Pay) |
|
Health (Obligations to Pay) |
|
Fishing (Obligations to Pay) |
|
Water sanitation (Obligations to Pay) |
|
State Projects (Obligations to Pay) |
|
Program for Women (Obligations to Pay) |
|
Other community funding (Obligations to Pay) |
|
Indigenous and Traditional communities (Obligations to Pay) |
|
Indemnification and Compensation
(Obligations to Perform) |
|
Community resettlement
(Obligations to Perform) |
|
Environment
(Obligations to Perform) |
|
Renova Foundation
|
|
Last updated in July 2026.
PT Vale Indonesia Tbk ("PTVI") is a non-operated joint venture of Vale Base Metals ("VBM"), which holds a 33. 88% share in the company, making Vale S.A. ("Vale") an indirect shareholder*. PTVI’s operational focus is on nickel mining, smelting, and refining activities in Sorowako, South Sulawesi.
In 2023, VBM received a stakeholder letter containing allegations of social and environmental impacts related to PTVI’s activities in Sorowako and Tanamalia. The alleged social and human rights impacts related to. deprivation of farmland, livelihood and compensation, access to clean and safe water, potential loss of livelihood, environmental concerns and lack of consultation in Tanamalia, and suppression of freedom of expression.
In response to the allegations, in October 2023, VBM established a task force to help PTVI assess and address the allegations, and to help the company strengthen their approach to social, human rights, and environmental impact management in the region. An external and independent investigation was commissioned to assess the allegations relating to water quality, freedom of expression, deprivation of livelihood and land.
The independent social risk, human rights and sustainability consultancy, Twentyfifty Ltd., carried out the investigation with a team comprised of international and Indonesian consultants. The work performed was based on the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs) and included collecting information and documents from PTVI; as well as conducting interviews with community members. The consultancy also made several attempts to engage with the Indonesian NGO Walhi. The summary report can be found here.
Regarding deprivation of farmland, livelihood and inconsistent compensation, mining at the concession is planned in phases, meaning different surrounding communities may be affected at different times as new blocks are developed. While PTVI engages communities well in advance of the start of any mining activities and formalises compensation agreements, local residents reported past experiences of unclear concession boundaries, land and livelihood losses, and inconsistent or poorly understood compensation arrangements. PTVI calculated through processes aligned with legal and international standards and agreed with communities and local authorities, however, certain community members said they did not understand how compensation was determined. This perceived lack of transparency and consistency has contributed to frustration, mistrust, and community protests.
Regarding access to safe and clean water in the Asuli village (Sorowako), the report indicates that the “discolouration of the water could have been caused by mining-related land clearance and disturbance, or by natural soil erosion during rainfall”. In addition, according to interviewees, the boreholes provided by PTVI do not serve all residents, and some members of the community felt a lack of communication regarding the possible mining impacts on water sources. It is important to note that Hexavelant Chromium contamination was not raised by the communities during the investigation, and PTVI provided sample results which were compliant with Class II quality standards for Hexavalent Chromium. PTVI has been taking specific actions to address the community’s concerns, which can be found in the related Action Plan document on the PTVI website (Human Rights - Vale).
Regarding the potential loss of livelihood, environmental concerns and lack of consultation in Tanamalia, the concerns relate to PTVI’s Tanamalia concession, where exploration activities resumed in 2022 in an area extensively occupied by pepper farmers, many of whom have cultivated land within the concession and protected forest areas without formal authorization. Community members reported that exploration activities damaged local infrastructure and caused temporary water quality issues, although water sources were observed to be clear after exploration was suspended in 2023. The review found mixed perceptions of PTVI, ranging from support and goodwill to frustration and opposition, reflecting concerns about the adequacy of stakeholder engagement.
Regarding suppression of freedom of expression, it was confirmed that the presence of security forces during community engagements led to perceptions of intimidation, suppressing free expression. It was also noted that past incidents, including threats to PTVI employees and community conflicts, had escalated tensions.
PTVI acknowledges the findings of the investigation and remains committed to implementing and continuously enhancing its Action Plan to strengthen the management of social, environmental and human rights impacts across its operations. Since the investigation was completed, the company has incorporated the lessons learned to drive improvements across the business, extending beyond Sorowako and Tanamalia.
The Action Plan is transparently disclosed on the PTVI website (Human Rights Commitment and Action Plan) and includes the revision of stakeholder engagement and grievance management procedures in alignment with International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards; the development of a company-wide Land Acquisition and Resettlement Framework (LARF); and the strengthening of its security management approach through plans, procedures and training aligned with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) and relevant IFC standards. These include, but are not limited to:
• Livelihoods and compensation: In Sorowako, PTVI completed a diagnostic review of past compensation processes and has commenced implementation of corrective actions to address land access, compensation and livelihood-related matters. The company continues to advance monitoring and management mechanisms to support implementation of these commitments.
• Safe and clean water: In Asuli, community consultations and assessments regarding access to water, including a human rights-based assessment, have been completed. Based on the outcomes of these studies, PTVI has assessed a suitable water supply solution intended to be supported by a community-based monitoring approach once implemented.
• Livelihoods, environmental concerns and lack of consultation: In Tanamalia, PTVI has developed a stakeholder engagement plan aligned with international standards, including a strengthened grievance management process, and established dialogue mechanisms to support stakeholder participation.
PTVI remains committed to conducting its activities responsibly and transparently, while continuing to strengthen engagement with local communities and other stakeholders in accordance with applicable regulations and internationally recognized standards. Updates on the implementation of these actions will continue to be communicated through the company's annual sustainability reporting and communication channels.
*The remaining ownership interests are divided between Indonesia’s mining industry holding company PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (Persero) (34%), Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. (11.48 %), Indonesia’s mining industry holding company PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (‘MIND ID’), and publicly listed shares on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (20.64%).
Last updated May 2026.
Currently, Vale holds a 4.59% indirect stake in the capital of Norte Energia S.A., the concessionaire company of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant (UHE Belo Monte).
Norte Energia S.A. has its own governance structure, with a Board of Directors and respective advisory committees. Norte Energia’s regulatory framework is composed of members appointed by the shareholders. Energia’s regulatory framework consists of policies, standards, and other instruments designed to govern decision-making on specific matters in accordance with the relevant authorities’ purviews and in the best interests of the company. In its role at the companies in which it holds an interest - even if indirect-, Vale monitors the adoption of practices related to integrity, transparency, and accountability, with a view to generate sustainable shared value for the organization, the environment, and society at large, while also seeking to promote the continuous improvement of risk and impact management.
Since before the public bidding notice for the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant was launched in 2009, the project has promoted broad dialogue with society. The current configuration of the project allowed for a 97% reduction in the flooded area compared to the original proposal, thereby avoiding the inundation of Indigenous Lands.
Regarding the consensus hydrograph for the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant, it is worth noting that the plant's Guaranteed Energy (4,571 MW) was defined by the Brazilian State based on average flow rates of the Xingu River (1931–2007) and the Consensus Hydrograph, which provided for annual alternation between Hydrographs A and B, as established by the Brazilian State.
Norte Energia states that it has been using only Hydrograph B. The application to renew the project’s Operating License is currently under review by the environmental agency; it is important to note that the license remains in effect until IBAMA issues a final decision. As part of this process, the hydrograph is one of the strategic issues currently being addressed from a technical standpoint between IBAMA and Norte Energia.
In the face of the challenges posed by the El Niño phenomenon, which significantly affected the rainfall regime in the Amazon region, the year 2024 recorded the fourth worst hydrological series in the last 91 years. The annual average inflows were 71% in 2023 and only 57% in 2024, which negatively impacted the generation of the Belo Monte HPP. This impact resulted from the combination of three main factors, which led to production below the Firm Energy: annual average inflow below the historical average in 2024, accentuating the water scarcity scenario; exclusive implementation of Hydrograph B, which prioritizes a higher flow rate to the Reduced-Flow Stretch (TVR) of the Xingu River, implying in lower water availability for power generation at the Belo Monte HPP; operational restrictions in the National Interconnected System (SIN), which limited the allocation of the plant’s full dispatch.
In 2025, the generation of Belo Monte has consistently stood out throughout the months, especially during periods of higher demand. In January, it was the hydroelectric plant that generated the most energy in the country, meeting 7% of national demand and reaching 12% during peak hours.
Norte Energia states on its institutional website that it has already invested around R$ 8 billion since 2011 in the implementation of the Social and Environmental Programs (PBA) of the Belo Monte HPP and its Indigenous Component (PBA-CI), with actions aimed at prevention, mitigating, compensating, and repairing the impacts of the project. These initiatives cover areas such as productive projects, sanitation, education, health, biodiversity, water management, social monitoring, with special attention to the Reduced Flow Stretch (TVR).
Norte Energia adopts high standards of socio-environmental governance, following legislation, the Equator Principles, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Standards. Audited reports are published quarterly on the company’s website, and the Sustainability Report is prepared in accordance with GRI guidelines.
With a focus on active listening, Norte Energia maintains several dialogue channels with its stakeholders, among which stand out the Whistleblower Channel, the 24-Hour Belo Monte Center, the Redepop, the Communication Centers of Volta Grande do Xingu, and the Radio System aimed at indigenous communities in the region. It also promotes the Social Monitoring Forum of the Belo Monte HPP and specific committees with indigenous peoples, valuing the leadership of these communities.
Progress has been made on the riverside community project. To this end, the Company maintains an ongoing dialogue with the parties involved, including the riverside communities themselves, the environmental licensing agency, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) and the State Public Defender’s Office. In the area of food security, the monitoring of ichthyofauna and fishing stands out, with data reinforcing the importance of fish in the local diet and supporting ongoing mitigation actions. It is worth noting that studies conducted in partnership with the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) indicate that the average annual fish consumption in the Xingu River is 32 kg per person, a value 166% higher than the World Health Organization’s recommendation (12 kg/year), highlighting the relevance of fish as an essential source of protein for local populations.
In the Volta Grande do Xingu, actions have been implemented such as water supply systems and efforts to strengthen income-generating productive activities, with ongoing attention to local socio-environmental conditions and significant progress in meeting socio-environmental demands.
In the PBA-CI, Norte Energia maintains close coordination with indigenous peoples and competent institutions, development of productive activities, institutional strengthening, health support, territorial protection, and education. An important milestone was the progress made in the updating of the Impact Matrix and the revising of the PBA-CI, thereby strengthening indigenous governance.
In summary, Norte Energia’s actions are carried out responsibly, under independent monitoring and auditing, reflecting the Company’s commitment to the prevention, to mitigation and compensation for impacts, as well as to the region’s sustainable development. It must be acknowledged, however, that challenges exist due to the absence of government authorities in the region.
Beyond the commitments established under the environmental licensing process for the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant (UHE Belo Monte), Norte Energia contributes to the sustainable development of the Xingu region by providing financial resources to the Xingu Sustainable Regional Development Plan (PDRSX), as stipulated in the official announcement of the auction for the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant.
Established by Presidential Decree No. 7,340/2010 and updated by Decree No. 10,729/2021, the PDRSX aims to foster investments of up to R$ 500 million in structural projects designed to strengthen regional socioeconomic development and protect the environment of the Xingu basin. The Plan covers the ten municipalities within the Belo Monte plant's area of influence and organizes its actions around eight thematic pillars, addressing areas such as land-use planning, environmental management, infrastructure, sustainable productive activities, social inclusion, health, education, and support for Indigenous peoples and traditional communities, as well as monitoring compliance with environmental licensing conditions.
In 2026, Norte Energia continued its financial contributions to the plan, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening public policies, promoting sustainable regional development, and creating a positive legacy for the municipalities within the Belo Monte plant's area of influence.
In addition, Norte Energia’s 2025 Integrated Sustainability Report highlights the evolution of the company’s ESG agenda, with a focus on the adoption of the TCFD and TNFD recommendations, the early implementation of the new GRI standards related to climate change, energy, and biodiversity, the incorporation of SASB indicators, and alignment with the principles of Integrated Reporting and the standards of the IFRS Foundation. The document also presents Norte Energia’s 4th Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory, prepared in accordance with the GHG Protocol methodology and recognized, for the fourth consecutive year, with the Gold Seal of the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program.
This inventory highlights the low emissions intensity of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant and reinforces its contribution to the generation of low-carbon renewable energy, as well as the company’s commitment to transparency, emissions management, and the decarbonization agenda. Furthermore, it establishes the correlation between the company’s initiatives, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Equator Principles, highlighting the integration of sustainability, climate and nature risk management, and the generating of long-term sustainable value.
For more information on Norte Energia’s sustainability initiatives, visit: (https://www.norteenergiasa.com.br/sustentabilidade/relatorios-e-publicacoes)
Last updated July 2026.
Vale has no Mining Rights on Indigenous Lands in Brazil. In 2021, Vale relinquished all its mining rights on Indigenous Lands in Brazil and has also given up requests for research authorizations and mining concessions. Vale's relinquishment is based on the understanding that mining on Indigenous Lands can only be carried out with the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of the Indigenous People themselves and based on legislation that adequately regulates the activity.
Currently, Vale develops activities in traditional territories in countries where regulations are in force, such as Canada, always in strict observance of the principles mentioned above, with emphasis on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
It should be noted that the information regarding mining rights ownership available on the ANM website may be undergoing updates, which could lead to inaccurate assessments of the status and actual ownership of companies in relation to their current mining rights.
Last updated in July 2026.
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