Vale (VALE) explains Minas Gerais water overflows and dam safety stance
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Vale S.A. reports that recent water overflows in the Minas Gerais municipalities of Congonhas and Ouro Preto have been contained. The company states that no injuries occurred and nearby populations and communities were not affected.
Vale emphasizes that these overflows are not related to its dams in the region, whose stability and safety conditions remain unchanged and under continuous 24/7 monitoring. According to the company, no mining tailings were released, only water with soil sediments.
Vale notes that it routinely carries out preventive inspection and maintenance on its structures, with procedures reinforced during periods of heavy rainfall. The causes of the two overflows are under investigation, and any lessons learned will be incorporated into the company’s rainfall management plans. Vale indicates it remains available to the relevant authorities for further clarification.
Positive
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Insights
Incident involved contained water overflows, with no injuries or tailings release reported.
Vale describes two water overflows in Congonhas and Ouro Preto that were contained, with no injuries and no impact reported on nearby populations and communities. The company also states that only water with soil sediments was released, and that its dams in the region remain stable, safe, and monitored around the clock.
From a risk perspective, this is an operational and environmental incident, but the company frames it as limited in immediate impact. It highlights ongoing preventive inspections and maintenance, especially during heavy rainfall, and notes that causes are under investigation with lessons to be integrated into rainfall management plans. The disclosure also stresses cooperation with relevant authorities, which may help address stakeholder and regulatory concerns.
United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of
January 2026
Vale S.A.
Praia de Botafogo nº 186, 18º andar,
Botafogo
22250-145 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
(Address of principal executive office)
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)
(Check One) Form 20-F x Form 40-F ¨
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Press Release |
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Vale clarifies water overflows in Minas Gerais
Rio de Janeiro, January 26, 2026 – Further to the press release disclosed earlier today, Vale S.A. (“Vale” or the “Company”) clarifies that the water overflows identified in Congonhas and Ouro Preto on Sunday (25) have been contained. No one was injured, and nearby populations and communities were not affected.
The Company emphasizes that neither situation is related to Vale’s dams in the region, which remain unchanged in their stability and safety conditions and continue to be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Vale further clarifies that no mining tailings were released, only water with sediments (soil).
Vale routinely conducts preventive inspection and maintenance activities on its structures, which remain safe. These procedures are reinforced during periods of heavy rainfall. The causes of the two overflows are under investigation, and the lessons learned will be promptly incorporated into the Company’s rainfall management plans. Vale remains available to the relevant authorities to provide any necessary clarifications.
Marcelo Feriozzi Bacci
Executive Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations
For further information, please contact:
Vale.RI@vale.com
Thiago Lofiego: thiago.lofiego@vale.com
Mariana Rocha: mariana.rocha@vale.com
Luciana Oliveti: luciana.oliveti@vale.com
Pedro Terra: pedro.terra@vale.com
Patricia Tinoco: patricia.tinoco@vale.com
This press release may include statements that present Vale’s expectations about future events or results. All statements, when based upon expectations about the future, involve various risks and uncertainties. Vale cannot guarantee that such statements will prove correct. These risks and uncertainties include factors related to the following: (a) the countries where we operate, especially Brazil and Canada; (b) the global economy; (c) the capital markets; (d) the mining and metals prices and their dependence on global industrial production, which is cyclical by nature; and (e) global competition in the markets in which Vale operates. To obtain further information on factors that may lead to results different from those forecast by Vale, please consult the reports Vale files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Brazilian Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (CVM) and in particular the factors discussed under “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in Vale’s annual report on Form 20-F.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Vale S.A. (Registrant) | ||
| By: | /s/ Thiago Lofiego | |
| Date: January 26, 2026 | Director of Investor Relations | |
FAQ
What incident in Minas Gerais did Vale (VALE) report in this 6-K?
Were people or nearby communities affected by Vale’s reported water overflows?
Did the Minas Gerais water overflows involve Vale’s dams or mining tailings?
What monitoring and maintenance measures does Vale (VALE) mention in connection with this incident?
How is Vale addressing the causes of the water overflows in Minas Gerais?
What does Vale say about cooperation with authorities regarding the overflows?
