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The Importance of Water for Our Business

Our industry produces natural resources that help drive economic and social development, with water being an essential resource across all phases of our mine developments, from conceptual design to post-closure.   

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Water use in mining

The water sources used in our mining operations include: underground, surface, and reuse.​


The ore used to produce steel is found in rocks mixed with other elements

During ore processing, water is used for flotation, washing, and preparing reagents​


Trucks transport the mined ore from the mine to the beneficiation plants

An aqueous solution of polymers is sprayed for dust control. For less critical uses, like washing parts and spraying roads and piles, recycled water is preferably used​


Stackers store the ore in piles, and reclaimers guide it onto conveyor belts

Before transporting ore, railcars are sealed with an aqueous polymer solution to prevent the material from becoming airborne​

​The ore is conveyed to hoppers and into railcars bound for the port. At the port, ore is unloaded and stockpiled in storage yards. In the yard, ores are stored and/or transported to the ships through reclaimers and conveyor belts. 

65%

of the volum of water withdrawls are either returned directly to the environment or supplied to third parties (e.g. local communities)

82%

of the total demand volum are reused.


 

11.000

hectares of protected areas by 2022.




 

1.700

springs under rehabilitation.





 

Our industry produces natural resources that help drive economic and social development, with water being an essential resource across all phases of our mine developments, from conceptual design to post-closure. 

Water Balance 

We closely track key performance indicators to ensure optimal operational efficiency and healthy and sustainable growth. Water use, consumption, and discharge are monitored, analyzed and registered in an integrated data management system, which is audited annually.  

In 2022, we reused 507 million cubic meters (m³) of water, harvested 4.7 million m³ of rainwater, and used 1.7 million m³ of desalinated water. 

Photo: Ricardo Teles. Salobo Dam (Vale Brazil): tailings dams are the main water recipients in mining operations.

Total water withdrawal (in millions of m³) in 2022

Approximately 28% of our water withdrawals are supplied to communities via the local public utilities, which treat and then distribute high-quality, safe water. Unused water is returned directly to the environment.

Learn more

For more details about our water and effluent performance, see our Databook ESG.

Our approach

We are members of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), of the Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM), of 7 river basin committees, and actively participate in Technical Water Resource Groups that discuss and develop guidelines for the responsible management of water resources and effluents in the mining industry. To ensure we apply these guidelines and achieve our water-related goals, we have established four strategic pillars: Governance, Monitoring and Control, Stakeholder Engagement, and Water Risk Management.

Photo: Marcelo Coelho. A thickener in Sohar (Vale Oman). Thickeners are used for solid-liquid separation in mineral processing, with the separated water returning to the process.

  • Quantitative targets for water-stressed areas 
  • Reduction plans for each operational site 
  • Hydrometric monitoring in host watersheds
  • Qualitative and quantitative water monitoring and data management systems
  • Engagement with the supply chain
  • Membership of watershed committees 
  • Support for access to basic sanitation in communities within our area of influence
  • Participation in forums, conferences, and thought leadership publications
  • Protection of water sources and support for biodiversity ambitions
  • Water risks are mapped, monitored and managed, including physical, regulatory, reputational, climate-change and supply-chain impacts
  • Water risks are also embedded in our business strategy

1 - Water & Wastewater Governance

We take a holistic approach to managing water resources and effluents in our host river basins, which includes closely monitoring watershed health and any stressors. Our governance model uses the “lines of defense” risk management approach, with well-defined processes, communication workflows, and decision-making procedures.

Vale’s Water Resource Policy establishes a set of principles and commitments to drive a sustainable and responsible management throughout the value chain. 

Vale's Archive

Guiding principles on water stewardship

1) actively participate in water resource management forums in the watersheds where we operate to discuss water security strategies.
2) work to preserve the quantity and quality of surface and groundwater in watersheds and marine areas.
3) contribute to the continuous improvement of sustainable water resource management and responsible use practices.

2 - Water monitoring and quality control

Vale continually invests in water monitoring within our operations and has developed systems to support watershed monitoring and decision-making.

We work to optimize water usage and discharge, implement water recycling projects, and develop efficient water and effluent treatment and control systems in our operations. We also explore alternative sources where viable, enhancing the availability and quality of water resources in the watersheds where we operate.

Vale's Archive

Water monitoring by the numbers (2022)

+2,600

water quality monitoring stations

+400,000

water quality data points generated

+139

watercourses monitored 

+507

million m3 of water reused

+113

million m3 of water supplied to third parties

+146

million m3 of unused water returned to the environment

3 - Engaging with stakeholders in our host watersheds

Watersheds are a shared resource. To inform our water-related initiatives, it is vital that we gain insight into watershed stakeholders and their expectations. Vale actively participates in the river basin committees (CBH) of the Doce, Velhas, Paraopeba, Piranga, Piracicaba, Santo Antônio, and Santa Maria da Vitória river basins, which support transparent communication and greater accountability at the local and regional level. We are also members of the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (CEBDS) Water Thematic Chamber, where we conduct studies, develop solutions, and share insights.

Vale's Archive

The Vale Technological Institute (ITV) for Sustainable Development, based in Belém (PA), conducts research on water resources and effluents in our host watersheds. Research projects at ITV are interdisciplinary in scope and are primarily aimed at assessing and predicting environmental conditions and producing sound scientific data about the region. One of the key goals of the institute is training new talents. A total of 17 students have obtained master’s degrees in the field of water resource management through the program, and 19 researchers have been trained in the young scientists research grant program.

In 2022, we developed a social and environmental criticality matrix for our supply chain, segmenting our suppliers into different procurement categories. In addition, we are currently developing a Water Resource and Effluent Engagement Plan that we plan to implement by 2030.

4 - Water risk management

We manage water risks not only at our operational sites but also across their host watersheds. We assess potential physical, regulatory, and reputational impacts on the company, including those arising from climate change and the value chain.

Our risk management approach employs well-established tools such as Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis (HIRA), Critical Control Verification (CCV), Integrated Line-of-Defense Checks, and Environmental Aspect and Impact Assessments (EAIA).  

Arquivo Vale

Accountability

We strive to act with integrity in everything we do and recognize that accountability is integral to achieving this goal. We will never forget Brumadinho: the victims, their families, and the social and environmental impacts caused by this tragedy. As part of our commitment to and respect for people, we have been working since 2019 to repair the damages caused by the dam breach.

In terms of water stewardship, in addition to monthly monitoring by the Minas Gerais Institute for Water Management (IGAM), we actively monitor water quality in the Paraopeba River and its tributaries as part of commitments undertaken to the relevant public authorities. The entire process is audited by independent auditors appointed by the Public Prosecution Service of Minas Gerais (MPMG). Monitoring data are regularly submitted to regulatory authorities and the MPMG.  

Water analyses have shown progressive improvement in water quality, with analysis results similar to or better than dry-season baseline figures before the dam breach.
In the area of sanitation, we have implemented initiatives to ensure that all affected residents have access high-quality water in sufficient quantity. We estimate that approximately 4 million people have potentially benefited from water supply initiatives (read more in Brumadinho).

We also take this opportunity to address the allegations of environmental contamination in the Cateté River resulting from our Onça Puma project. These claims have been proven unfounded, as demonstrated in reports prepared by experts appointed by the Federal Civil Court (VCF-Redenção). Vale does not engage in mineral exploration or mining activities of any kind in indigenous lands in Brazil. We strictly comply with existing legislation and are committed to seeking Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in our interactions with indigenous communities (read more in Controversies).

Vale has been operating in the Amazon for nearly 40 years and has helped to protect approximately 800,000 hectares of forests in the Carajás Mosaic, an area equivalent to five times the size of São Paulo City. This is the largest continuous expense of forests in the southern and southeastern regions of Pará, and is managed in partnership with the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio). The conservation of these forest areas supports biodiversity preservation, protection of water bodies, and carbon storage.

Commitments and targets

Our global sustainability goals are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the 2030 Agenda, and guidelines issued by the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM). Vale’s 2030 Water Target, launched in 2018, aimed to achieve a 10% reduction in water withdrawal intensity from a 2017 baseline. We successfully met 20% reduction in 2021, nine years ahead of schedule.

Achieving and surpassing our 2018 target ahead of time required a significant effort and has yielded important improvements in our internal water governance processes. 

Vale´s Archive 

Going beyond 

We have since updated our 2030 target to include all the watersheds where we operate, with specific targets set for each of our core pillars. Beyond the results we have already achieved, we are focusing our efforts on achieving an additional average reduction of 7% in water intensity by 2030. This includes more substantial targets for sites located in areas experiencing high or critical water stress. This update of the target will promote an accumulated reduction of 27% (2017 base) added to the result already achieved. 

We have adopted UN Indicator 6.4.2, based on a study conducted in 2022, in determining water stress levels in the regions where we operate. We have analyzed all sub-basins where we operate to inform region-specific initiatives. 

Vale Archive 

Water stress is measured based on the following variables:

Quantity 

Measured in terms of water availability in the watershed.

 

Quality 

Measured in terms of the quality of water available for its intended use.
 

Accessibility 

Water availability for users.
 

Ecological flows 

Minimum flow required for sustaining aquatic life.
 

Water stress levels in our host watersheds

  • No stress (<25%)
  • Low (25 to 75%)
  • Medium (50 to 75%)
  • High (75 to 100%)
  • Critical (>100%)

Learn more

Explore some of Vale’s voluntary initiatives in collaboration with local communities to promote sustainable water and effluent management.