Vale (VALE) clears final level 3 dam as it advances decharacterization
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Vale S.A. reports a key safety milestone at its tailings dams. The emergency level of the Forquilha III dam at the Fábrica mine in Ouro Preto has been reduced from level 3 to level 2 by decision of the Brazilian National Mining Agency, meaning Vale no longer has any dams classified at emergency level 3 in its portfolio.
Management highlights that this reduction follows new field and laboratory data, studies and improved instrumentation, and that all of Vale’s tailings dams now comply with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management. The Forquilha III dam is included in Vale’s Upstream Dam Decharacterization Program, with decharacterization works scheduled to begin in 2026; since 2019, 17 of the 30 structures in this program have already been decharacterized. Vale emphasizes ongoing 24/7 monitoring through its Geotechnical Monitoring Center and continued investment in governance and technology to improve dam safety.
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Insights
Vale removes all level 3 dam emergencies, reducing tailings risk profile.
Vale indicates that the Forquilha III dam’s emergency status has been cut from level 3 to level 2 by the Brazilian National Mining Agency, leaving no dams at emergency level 3 in its portfolio. The change is based on new field and lab data, studies, and upgraded instrumentation that support higher safety factors under regulatory criteria.
The company also states that it has implemented the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management across all tailings dams and continues an Upstream Dam Decharacterization Program. As of
From a risk perspective, tailings management is central to license-to-operate and potential liabilities in mining. While no financial metrics are given, the removal of level 3 emergencies and 24/7 monitoring via the Geotechnical Monitoring Center may ease operational and regulatory risk perceptions. Future disclosures in annual and sustainability reports can show how this progress translates into long-term cost, liability, and capacity impacts.
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
August 2025
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 reaches significant milestone with reduction of Forquilha III dam emergency level 3
Rio de Janeiro, August 18, 2025 – Vale S.A. (“Vale” or the “Company”) announces that the emergency level of the Forquilha III dam, located at the Fábrica mine in the municipality of Ouro Preto (MG), has been reduced from level 3 to level 2 as of today, in accordance with a decision by the Brazilian National Mining Agency. With this reduction, Vale no longer has any dams classified at emergency level 3 in its portfolio.
“We have fulfilled our commitment to have no dams at emergency level 3 in 2025, reinforcing the safety of people and the environment. We have also successfully implemented, within the scheduled timeframe, the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) for all our tailings dams. We will continue to advance the implementation of the Upstream Dam Decharacterization Program and the continuous improvement of our dam management”, said Gustavo Pimenta, Vale’s CEO.
The reduction in the emergency level was made possible by the obtention of new field and laboratory data, studies, and improvements in instrumentation, which enabled a better understanding of the structure and resulted in safety factors that meet the criteria required for lowering the emergency level.
“The Forquilha III Dam is part of Vale’s Upstream Dam Decharacterization Program and is currently undergoing preparatory works for the start of its decharacterization process, scheduled to begin in 2026. Since 2019, 17 of the 30 structures included in the Decharacterization Program have already been decharacterized. The Company has made significant investments in governance and technology, which allow for safer and more accurate information about the condition of each structure”, said Rafael Bittar, Vale’s Technical Executive Vice-President.
Vale maintains permanent control and monitoring measures for its dams, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through Vale’s Geotechnical Monitoring Center.
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.
1 As recorded in the Integrated Mining Dam Management System (SIGBM, acronym in Portuguese) of the Brazilian National Mining Agency.
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: August 18, 2025 | Director of Investor Relations | |
FAQ
What safety milestone did Vale (VALE) announce regarding the Forquilha III dam?
Vale announced that the emergency level of the Forquilha III dam, at the Fábrica mine in Ouro Preto (MG), was reduced from level 3 to level 2 by the Brazilian National Mining Agency. As a result, Vale states it no longer has any dams classified at emergency level 3 in its portfolio.
How does this change affect Vale (VALE) dam emergency classifications overall?
With the Forquilha III dam moving from emergency level 3 to level 2, Vale reports that it has fulfilled its commitment for 2025 to have no dams at emergency level 3. All remaining dams are now at lower emergency classifications according to the company.
What progress has Vale (VALE) made on its Upstream Dam Decharacterization Program?
Vale states that since 2019, 17 of the 30 structures in its Upstream Dam Decharacterization Program have been decharacterized. The Forquilha III dam is part of this program and is undergoing preparatory works, with decharacterization scheduled to begin in 2026.
Has Vale (VALE) implemented the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM)?
Yes. Vale reports that it has implemented the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) for all of its tailings dams, stating that this implementation was completed within the scheduled timeframe.
How does Vale (VALE) monitor its dams on an ongoing basis?
Vale notes that its dams are subject to permanent control and monitoring, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through the company’s Geotechnical Monitoring Center, which tracks conditions and instrumentation data.
Who commented on the dam safety achievement for Vale (VALE)?
Gustavo Pimenta, Vale’s CEO, highlighted the fulfillment of the 2025 commitment to have no dams at emergency level 3 and the implementation of GISTM. Rafael Bittar, Vale’s Technical Executive Vice-President, emphasized the decharacterization progress and investments in governance and technology.
