Vale informs on the expansion of the self-rescue zone of Forquilha I, II, III and IV and Grupo dams

Vale informs that it increased the limits of the Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) of the Forquilha I, II, III and IV and Grupo dams, of the Fábrica mine, at th Paraopeba Complex, based on more conservative studies, which started to consider an extreme and hypothetical scenario of rupture of the dam Grupo and simultaneous rupture of the Forquilhas dams. The expansion of the ZAS is a result of provisions of the Term of Commitment entered into by the State of Minas Gerais, the Public Prosecution Office of the State Minas Gerais and Vale, in which new parameters were defined for updating the flood zone.

As of today, approximately 50 people, residing in rural areas in the municipalities of Itabirito and Ouro Preto, will be relocated following the guidance of the Civil Defense of Minas Gerais and with Vale’s support, respecting health and safety protocols recommended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Families will receive full assistance from Vale, with accommodation, psychosocial care, food, among others. In 2019, eleven people were relocated when the Forquilhas I and III dams were raised to emergency level 3.

Vale also informs that there was no change in the technical data of the referred structures and that the latest inspections did not detect additional anomalies. The dams at the Paraopeba Complex are continuously monitored by Vale’s Centre of Geotechnical Monitoring (CGM).

Vale

Vale is a global mining company, transforming natural resources into prosperity and sustainable development. Headquartered in Brazil and present in about 30 countries, we employ approximately 125,000 people between direct employees and permanent contractors.