Communities living near Vale’s operations are safer now that more than half of the company’s Upstream Dam De-Characterization Program has been completed. Last week, Vale finished eliminating Dike 1A at Conceição Mine in Itabira, Minas Gerais.  

This was the 16th upstream structure eliminated by Vale in Brazil, out of a total of 30 planned. Since 2019, more than R$9 billion has been invested in the program and the expectation is to reach 60% completion by the end of 2025, when the company also expects to have no more structures at the maximum emergency level. 

“Our priority is to ensure that each stage of this process is carried out responsibly and with the technical rigor needed to mitigate any risks. We know how important these actions are, and we are working transparently, maintaining constant dialogue with communities, the authorities and regulatory bodies. This is a fundamental step in achieving our goal of offering a safer, more sustainable environment, in line with global best practices,” said Adriana Bandeira, Vale’s director of dam de-characterization and geotechnical projects. 

The elimination of upstream structures is a commitment Vale made immediately after the failure of the B1 dam in Brumadinho and it is also a requirement established in current federal and state legislation on dam safety. The implemented de-characterization actions are subject to continuous evaluation and monitoring by independent auditors and regulators.  

The elimination solutions are customized for each structure and are being carried out cautiously, always prioritizing people’s safety, risk reduction and care for the environment. All of Vale’s upstream structures in Brazil are inactive and monitored 24/7 by the company’s geotechnical monitoring centers.  

80% of De-Characterization Program now executed in Itabira 

Dike 1A was the eighth upstream structure eliminated in Itabira, which corresponds to 80% of the de-characterization program in the municipality. Last month, the de-characterization work on Dike 1B at Conceição Mine was also completed. Previously, dikes 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the Pontal System, Ipoema Dam at Meio Mine and Rio do Peixe Dike in Conceição were removed. 
 

The other two structures that are part of the program in the municipality are the Minervino and Cordão Nova Vista dikes, both in the Pontal System. They will be de-characterized after the construction of a new downstream containment structure – a preventive measure that will allow the structures to be safely eliminated. 

The work to remove Dike 1A began in April of this year and was completed ahead of schedule. The completed de-characterization work will now go through the process of evaluation and validation by the authorities, as determined by legislation.