Prosecutors seek R$1B asset freeze from Vale (VALE) over Fábrica mine incident

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Vale S.A. reports that Brazil’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) has filed a Preliminary Injunction for Protective Relief related to an overflow incident at the Fábrica mine in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, involving runoff of water and sediments into downstream areas.

The MPF is requesting injunctive measures, including an asset freeze of R$ 1 billion, citing the need to prevent worsening of alleged environmental damage. Vale states that it has already submitted a statement in the case records and will present its defense within the applicable legal deadline.

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• None.

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• Brazilian prosecutors request R$ 1 billion asset freeze via a Preliminary Injunction for Protective Relief related to an overflow incident at Vale’s Fábrica mine, creating potential financial and legal risk depending on the court’s decision.

Insights

Cross-border equity analyst

Brazilian prosecutors seek R$ 1B asset freeze tied to a mine incident.

The filing states that Brazil’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office requested an asset freeze of R$ 1 billion through a Preliminary Injunction for Protective Relief. This relates to an overflow incident at Vale’s Fábrica mine involving runoff of water and sediments into downstream areas.

Such a request indicates potential financial and operational constraints if granted, although the outcome is not stated. Vale notes it has submitted a statement in the case records and will present its defense within the legal deadline, so actual impact will depend on judicial decisions in Brazil.

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

February 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 ¨

Press Release  

Vale informs on request for asset freeze by the Brazilian Federal Prosecutor’s Office

Rio de Janeiro, February 1^st, 2026 – Vale S.A. (“Vale” or the “Company”) clarifies that it has become aware of the existence of a Preliminary Injunction for Protective Relief filed in Brazil by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) regarding the overflow incident that occurred at the Fábrica mine, in Ouro Preto (MG), involving the runoff of water and sediments into downstream areas.

The MPF is requesting the adoption of injunctive measures, including an asset freeze in the amount of R$ 1 billion, arguing the need to prevent the worsening of alleged environmental damage.

Vale has already submitted its statement in the case records and will present its defense in due course, within the legal deadline.

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: February 2, 2026		Director of Investor Relations

FAQ

What legal action involving Vale (VALE) is described in this 6-K filing?

The filing describes a Preliminary Injunction for Protective Relief filed by Brazil’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office. It relates to an overflow incident at Vale’s Fábrica mine in Ouro Preto involving runoff of water and sediments into downstream areas.

How much of an asset freeze is being requested against Vale (VALE)?

Brazil’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office is requesting injunctive measures that include an asset freeze of R$ 1 billion. The filing states this is argued as necessary to prevent worsening of alleged environmental damage from the Fábrica mine overflow incident.

What incident at Vale’s Fábrica mine triggered the prosecutor’s request?

The request stems from an overflow incident at the Fábrica mine in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais. According to the filing, the incident involved runoff of water and sediments into downstream areas, which the prosecutor links to alleged environmental damage.

How has Vale (VALE) responded to the asset freeze request?

Vale states it has already submitted its statement in the case records in Brazil. The company also indicates it will present its defense in due course, within the applicable legal deadline established in the judicial process.

Does the filing say whether the R$ 1 billion asset freeze has been granted?

The filing notes the existence of a Preliminary Injunction for Protective Relief and the prosecutor’s request for an asset freeze. It does not state any final court outcome, only that Vale has responded and will present its full defense within the legal deadline.

What risks does Vale highlight more generally in this disclosure?

The document’s cautionary language cites risks tied to the countries where it operates, the global economy, capital markets, mining and metals prices, and global competition. These factors may cause future results to differ from expectations expressed in forward-looking statements.