We will continue moving forward with humility, active listening and transparency, strengthening our dialogue with all our stakeholders and helping build a safer, more sustainable mining industry.
Photo: Alexandre Rezende
Vale reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the safe and responsible management of tailings, prioritizing people’s safety, environmental protection and the well-being of the communities where we operate.
In recent years, we have made structural advances in our governance, risk management and operational processes related to tailings storage facilities. We have fully adopted the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM)—established jointly by the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)—to ensure the highest standards of excellence in every stage of the facility life cycle, from design through closure.
In addition, as a member of the ICMM, we have actively supported the creation of the Global Tailings Management Institute (GTMI), recognizing the importance of international collaboration in raising global standards for safety and transparency in the mining industry.
We recognize the responsibility we bear and remain committed to becoming a leader in sustainable, innovative and ethical tailings management practices. We continue to invest heavily in technology, training and organizational culture to ensure that our actions reflect our commitment to life, society and the future of mining.
Gustavo Pimenta, CEO, Vale
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Best practices
At Vale, we employ responsible practices that prioritize operational safety, people’s well-being and environmental protection.
That is why we continue to expand our efforts to develop innovative solutions that reduce risks and strengthen the monitoring of dams and tailings storage facilities (TSFs).
We have a Dam and Mining Geotechnical Structure Safety Policy, which sets out guidelines and commitments to ensure that every asset is planned, constructed, operated and closed responsibly, in line with national and international industry best practices.
Photo: Marcelo Rosa
Fotógrafo: Ricardo Teles
Tailings disposal criteria
Our site selection criteria for tailings disposal and our policies prohibit the use of submarine disposal or disposal into waterways. The tailings we generate are stored in geotechnical structures such as dams, tailings piles and mined-out pits.
For more information about our responsible water management practices, see our Water and Water Resources Policy.
A new way of operating
Vale has invested in innovative solutions to reduce its reliance on tailings dams and adopt more sustainable operating practices. Our key initiatives include:
Tailings filtration plants
Facilities that separate water from tailings, producing a solid material (filter cake) that can be stored more safely.
Dry Processing
Expanding production through technologies that reduce or eliminate the use of water in ore processing, reducing the generation of wet tailings.
Tailings and waste rock reuse
Reusing materials that were previously discarded, reducing environmental impacts and helping lower carbon emissions.
Coproduct development
Developing innovative ways to transform tailings into new materials, such as sustainable sand for use across the construction industry.
Dam decharacterization
Our commitment to safety and environmental protection through the permanent elimination of this type of structure. To learn more, click here.
Our commitment
to a new way of operating is already delivering results.
Link to documents
Read our Dam and Mining Geotechnical Structure Safety Policy, Water and Water Resources Policy and Annual Report in full.
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