Biodiversity
Vale recognizes the importance of biodiversity and deems it a subject
intrinsic to its business, considering its richness, breadth and value
in maintaining life and ecosystem services.
We protect and help to protect an area approximately 11 times larger
than the area occupied by our operations, that is, approximately 9.0
thousand km² of natural areas, thus contributing to the protection of
native fauna and flora species, mainly endemic and endangered ones,
taking into consideration an integrated management of territories we
operate.
In line with our
Sustainability Policy, the following commitments stand out as the basis of our activities:
Focused on these commitments, Vale’s long-term purpose is to achieve No
Net Loss¹ in biodiversity.
¹ When losses are equal to gains. There are impacts, but we take
measures to prevent and minimize them in order to implement
rehabilitation/ restoration and offset.
KPIs Reports
To monitor the performance of its operational impacts on biodiversity,
Vale uses the GRI system indicators (GRI 304 : Biodiversity), which are
reported annually by the operating units and whose results are disclosed
in the Sustainability Report. Moreover, biodivesity management plans
specific to some operational areas presents indicators related to
programs and measures, as well as those from the GRI.
Indicators:
Indicator 1
Vale protects or helps protect an area almost 12 times larger than the
total area occupied by our operational units. Click on the map below to
find out more details about each region:
Amazon Rainforest
Protected area |
Location |
Ownership |
Area (km2) |
|
|
|
|
Tapirapé-Aquiri National
Forest
|
|
|
|
Itacaiúnas National Forest
|
|
|
|
Tapirapé Biological Reserve
|
|
|
|
Igarapé do Gelado
Environmental Protection
Area
|
|
|
|
Carajás Fields Ferruginous
National Park
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 Source: State Secretariat for the Environment and
Sustainable Development (Semad), State Forestry Institute (IEF),
Government of Minas Gerais.
3 Source:
Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation
(ICMBio)
Ministry of the Environment.
4 Source:
State Environmental Institute (Inea), Government of Rio de Janeiro.
Atlantic Forest
Protected area |
Location |
Ownership |
Area (km2) |
|
|
|
|
Monument Serra das Torres
|
|
|
|
Biological Reserve Duas Bocas
|
|
|
|
National Forest of Goytacazes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sooretama Biological Reserve
|
|
|
|
Private reserves of natural heritage (RPPN) in the
Quadrilátero Ferrífero de Minas Gerais
|
|
|
|
Protection areas of four small hydroelectric plants
(SHPs)
|
|
|
|
Augusto Ruschi Biological Reserve
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mata Escura Biological Reserve
|
|
|
|
3 Source:
State Environmental Institute (Inea), Government of Rio de Janeiro.
Mozambique
Protected area |
Location |
Ownership |
Area (km2) |
|
|
|
|
Sundaland
Protected area |
Location |
Ownership |
Area (km2) |
Vale Malaysia Ecological Center (Vale Eco Centre)
|
|
|
|
Forest and Maquis Shrubland
Protected area |
Location |
Ownership |
Area (km2) |
Northern Forests Nature Reserve (Forêt Nord Nature
Reserve)
|
|
Government Partnership of New Caledonia 4
|
|
Pic du Grand Kaori Reserve
|
|
Government Partnership of New Caledonia 4
|
|
4 Type of natural vegetation present in the hotspot
entitled New Caledonia.
Vale's operational areas overlap with areas of high biodiversity
value, such as hotspots and wilderness areas.
Impacted areas and categories of relevance/value for biodiversity
GRI 304-1
|
2021/km2 |
|
|
|
Total impacted area |
814.57 |
Total impacted area in Wilderness |
325.10 |
Total impacted area in Hotspots |
372.46 |
Impacted areas in protected areas |
255.43 |
Impacted areas adjacent to protected areas |
396.28 |
Impacted areas in priority areas for conservation outside
protected areas
|
103.41 |
Total impacted area in Wilderness
Total impacted area in Hotspots
Impacted areas in protected areas
Impacted areas adjacent to protected areas
Impacted areas in priority areas for conservation outside
protected areas
Note: it is important to highlight that the Protected Areas
that are impacted by Vale's operations refer to sustainable use
conservation units (according to Brazilian legislation and corresponding
internationally to IUCN V and VI categories), with creation
decrees that allow Vale's activities to be carried out
there.
Most of the areas impacted in Protected Areas refer to our operations in
Carajás – Pará state/Brazil, located in the Carajás National Forest and
Tapirapé Aquiri National Forest, sustainable use conservation units
(IUCN Category VI), whose creation decrees allow our activities.
Besides our operations located in the Minas Gerais Iron
Quadrangle region - Brazil, which has interference in the
Southern Environmental Protection Area - APA Sul RMBH, also a
sustainable use conservation unit (IUCN Category V).
Protected Areas adjacent to our operations are mostly composed of
conservation units owned by Vale (Private Reserves of Natural Heritage -
IUCN Category IV - already established and some still in the process of
being created) purposely located near our operational units to ensure
their effective management, in addition to conservation units created
and supported by Vale - such as Campos Ferruginosos National Park (IUCN
Category II) created in the scope of the licensing of the S11D Eliezer
Batista Complex. It is important to make clear that adjacent Protected
Areas are those located within a 10 km buffer from the operations.
In regards to other classes of areas of high importance for
biodiversity, our operations interfere with or are adjacent to some Key
Biodiversity Areas (KBA) and Ramsar Sites, as shown in the following
table.
Country/ Location |
Operation type |
Important biodiversity área category |
Position |
|
|
|
Brazil/ Mariana |
Mine/industrial plant
|
KBA
|
Portions within
|
Brazil/ Ipatinga |
Logística/ Railroad
|
Ramsar Site
|
Adjacent*
|
Brazil/ Carajás |
Logistics/Railroad
Mine/ Industrial plant
|
KBA
|
Portions within
Overlaps
|
Brazil/ São Luis |
Logistics/Port/Railroad
|
Ramsar Site
KBA
|
Overlaps
Portions within
|
Brazil/ Corumbá |
Mine/ Industrial plant
|
KBA
|
Overlaps
|
Indonesia/ Sulawesi |
Mine/ Industrial plant
|
KBA
|
Portions within
|
Wales/ Clydach |
Industrial plant
|
Ramsar Site
|
Adjacent*
|
Brazil/ Mariana
Operation type: Mine/industrial plant
Important biodiversity área category: KBA
Position: Portions within
Brazil/ Ipating
Operation type: Logística/ Railroad
Important biodiversity área category: Ramsar Site
Position: Adjacente*
Brazil/ Carajás
Operation type: Logística/ Railroad
Mine/industrial
plant
Important biodiversity área category: KBA
Position: Overlaps
Portions within
Brazil/ São Luis
Operation type: Logistics/Port/Railroad
Important biodiversity área category: Ramsar Site
KBA
Position: Overlaps
Portions within
Brazil/ Corumbá
Operation type: Mine/industrial plant
Important biodiversity área category: KBA
Position: Overlaps
Indonesia/
Sulawesi
Operation type: Mine/industrial plant
Important biodiversity área category: KBA
Position: Portions within
Wales/
Clydach
Operation type: Industrial plant
Important biodiversity área category: Ramsar Site
Position: Adjacent*
*For the adjacent area, a 10 km buffer was considered, generated from
the external limits of the areas of high importance for biodiversity,
and its overlap with the area of the operational unit was evaluated.
We have operations in areas of high biodiversity value and we are
committed to responsible management of our impacts, based on the impact
mitigation hierarchy, in addition to supporting conservation
initiatives. In Carajás, we have been supporting protection, research
and education in the conservation units for more than 30 years.
Vale commits to not operate in UNESCO Word Natural Heritage
Sites
In 2021, Vale made a public commitment to not operate in UNESCO
Natural World Heritage Sites. The Vale Natural Reserve (RNV), a
protected area owned by the company dedicated to the conservation of
23,000 ha of Atlantic Forest remnants, as well as the Sooretama
Biological Reserve (REBio), an area that Vale protects in partnership
with ICMBio, are part of the Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves
World Heritage Site, and also constitute a Key Area for Biodiversity
Conservation.
It’s worth noting that Vale’s Natural Reserve (RNV), an area owned by
Vale aimed at conserving 23 thousand hectares of remaining Atlantic
Forest; as well as the Sooretama Biological Reserve, an area that Vale
protects in partnership with ICMBio, are part of the World Natural
Heritage Site of the Atlantic Forest Discovery Coast Reserves.
More information on Vale’s Natural Reserve can be found at:
http://www.vale.com/brasil/PT/initiatives/environmental-social/natural-reserve/Paginas/default.aspx
Indicator 2
Amount of land (owned or leased, used for productive or extractive
activities) altered or rehabilitated.
Opening and closing balance (G4 MM1) |
2021 km2 |
|
|
|
Impacted areas (opening balance) |
628.1 |
Impacted areas in the reference year |
10.1 |
Areas in permanent recovery in the reference year |
18.0 |
Impacted areas (closing balance) |
620.1 |
Opening and closing balance (G4 MM1)
Impacted areas (opening balance)
Impacted areas in the reference year
Areas in permanent recovery in the reference year
Impacted areas (closing balance)
Indicator 3
Number of species included in the International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN) red list and domestic conservation list with habitats
in areas affected by the organization's operations.
In 2021, we recorded 5,442 species as occurring in habitats impacted by
Vale's operations or located near its operations, of which 2,968
were fauna and 2,471 flora. Of these, 135 fall within the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) threats classification scheme.
Species included in red lists have habitats affected by our national
and international operations (GRI 304-4)
Category |
MMA (2014) |
IUCN (2018) |
|
|
|
Vulnerable (VU) |
59
|
60
|
Near-threatened (NT) |
0
|
42
|
Endangered (EN) |
46
|
26
|
Critically Endangered (CR) |
8
|
7
|
Category
Vulnerable (VU)
MMA (2014)
59
IUCN (2018)
60
Near-threatened (NT)
MMA (2014)
0
IUCN (2018)
42
Endangered (EN)
MMA (2014)
46
IUCN (2018)
26
Critically Endangered (CR)
MMA (2014)
8
IUCN (2018)
7
GRI G4-MM2
The number and percentage of operational units that require biodiversity
management plans according to stated criteria, and the number
(percentage) of those units with plans in force.
Among the 61 operational units evaluated in 2021, 54 (88.5%) required
the preparation of management programs. For these units,
51 programs have already been implemented, seven are being prepared and
one is a future proposal, and some of the units contemplate more than
one project and, therefore, have more than one associated program.
Goals and Deadlines
Vale has established a long-term goal to reach No Net Loss, focused on
reducing significant biodiversity's losses. This commitment is
completely aligned with the commitments made in the Sustainability
Policy and with the company's sustainability strategy. To achieve
this goal, we are working to implement and reinforce the entire risk,
impact, attributes and performance management process.
In 2019, Vale annouced its 2030 Agenda, in line with the UN
Sustainable Development Goals. Regarding biodiversity, the Agenda
brings the Forestry Goal - Recover and protect 500,000 hectares of areas
by 2030. This goal is also associated with the ambition to leave a
positive legacy in the biomes in which we operate. This goal is also
aligned and could contribute to the Brazilian commitment to recover 12
million hectares of native vegetation, as provided for in the National
Policy for the Recovery of Native Vegetation.
Furthermore, the Vale's agenda also includes goals related to water and
climate change that are also connected to biodiversity as they are associated with
the reduction of interferences related to important ecosystem
services, with the reduction of fresh water withdrawal and the
emission of greenhouse gases.
Our Management
We
have adopted an integrated territory management approach,
incorporating and applying concepts related to the Impact Mitigation
Hierarchy (HMI)¹ to achieve No Net Loss in the territories where we operate.
In the risk and impact management efforts, specific diagnoses are
developed from the planning of entry into new territories to the final
design of the projects, aiming to assess possible interference in areas
of natural heritage, protected areas, as well as sensitive habitats and
species. All expansion of operations and new projects are preceded by
studies of environmental impacts in accordance with the rules and
regulations of each country and region in which its operate.
In 2019, Vale developed a normative standard that provides guidelines
and processes for biodiversity management focused on all stages of the
life cycle, from project planning to post-closure, published in early
2020. This document brings the Hierarchy Impact Mitigation, risk
management, metrics and the necessary processes so that new projects and
even operations can assess and manage biodiversity risks and establish
goals and actions related to No Net Loss. This normative document was
prepared based on the experience acquired and results obtained during
the work developed in partnership with The Biodiversity Consultancy and
the S11D Complex Mine team, which resuts in the S11D Mine
Management Plan.
¹Impact management approach which must be applied sequentially to
anticipate and avoid, and where impact prevention is not possible,
minimize; when impacts occur, restore; and where significant impacts
remain to some extent, offset. The focus of this approach is to avoid
net losses of biodiversity by mitigating risks and impacts.
ICMM commitments and strategic alignments
As a member of ICMM, Vale is committed to the principles established by
the Board and in 2019 reinforced its commitment to Performance
Expectation, which is focused on not operating in World Heritage Areas
and on the implementation and strengthening of the impact mitigation
hierarchy , with the objective of not having considerable
biodiversity losses.
Biological Diversity Convention (CDB) and Biodiversity Strategic Plan
Vale always seeks to be aligned with the commitments and
goals established by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB).
Protection and recovery of natural environments, maintenance of
essential ecosystem services, reduction of species'
threats are part of these goals and are aligned with our 2030 Agenda
based on the forest goal, as well as our biodiversity strategy that has
the long-term objective of neutralizing impacts on biodiversity.
Impact Management
Vale follows the best methods, technologies and actions that allow
the least interference in natural resources. Even so, the operations
have direct and indirect impacts on biodiversity. We work with
prevention, mitigation, control, recovery and compensation measures that
are not restricted only to legal obligations, with the aim of
incorporating the protection of components of biodiversity and ecosystem
services into our activities, thus seeking, whenever possible, to
implement actions volunteers focused on conservation.
Focused on improving and maximizing the results of these actions, Vale
establishes partnerships with specialists in biodiversity, such as
universities, governmental organizations and consultancy in search of
consistent environmental studies, mitigation, recovery and compensation
activities that constitute effective action plans, in addition to
encourage the generation and dissemination of knowledge.
Policies and Standards
Since it is a multidisciplinary subject, Vale’s guidelines concerning
biodiversity are reflected in the
Sustainability Policy, with the principle of prioritizing risk and impact management,
pursuing zero harm to employees and communities and leaving a positive
social, economic and environmental legacy in territories where Vale
operates.
In 2019, Vale developed a normative standard that provides guidelines
and processes for managing biodiversity focused on all stages of the
projects' life cycle.
Vision of Risks
Our operations today occupy around 818 km², with the main risks and
direct and indirect impacts on biodiversity being associated with
changes in natural environments and changes in land use, which alter the
components of the physical environment, which in turn instead they
function as support for the elements of the biotic environment (flora
and fauna). In 2015 Vale carried out a study to map and classify the
risks to biodiversity arising from our operations, from nine categories
of areas and/or territories relevant to biodiversity, according to
global and national organizations (KBA, Protected Areas, Wilderness
Areas , Hotspots, occurrence of Endangered Species IUCN, among others)
to which weights have been attributed that characterize its importance
in relation to biodiversity.
The analyzes were made considering the insertion of the operational
areas in these areas and/or territories, which generated the risk note.
Out of the 33 units with operating activities (representing 97% of
Vale’s total) evaluated in 14 countries, we obtained the following
results:
10 units Low Risk
14 units Medium Risk
9 units High Risk
In June 2020, we established a partnership with the IBAT (Integrated
Biodiversity Assessment Tool) to assist in risk and impact analysis in
the initial phases of projects, supporting the guidelines of the
normative standard focused on Biodiversity Management.
Voluntary Initiatives
Please find below the highlights of our performance in biodiversity.
These initiatives reinforce our commitment and confirm that it is
possible to integrate biodiversity to mining.
Business Nature
In 2020, reinforcing its commitment to the
biodiversity conservation, Vale joined the Call for Action of
Business for Nature, a union of efforts by companies and institutions to protect our
planet and reverse the significant nature losses. It is the first
time that so many companies are moving in the same direction with
the purpose of influencing discussions for the Post-2020 Global
Biodiversity Framework delivery at COP-15.
Call for Action brought together a list of more than 500 large
companies to demand that governments and world leaders adopt
environmental policies in this decade. Among the requests is the
reinforcement of the protection of the Amazon, a cause already
supported by Vale for over 30 years, and adherence to the
international biodiversity agenda.
To participate in the action, the companies that integrate Business
for Nature need to have public commitments and focused goals to
contain the biodiversity loss and protect natural resources.
Biodiversity Experience Project
Implemented in 2017, the project promotes annual meetings in
celebration of the International Biological Diversity day.
This project was designed for the purpose of exchanging experiences
from the enrollment and submittal of papers that reflect initiatives
and solutions in biodiversity, implemented and executed in all
Vale’s units, stressing the importance of the subject for the
company and the experiences, as well as expanding knowledge.
Vale’s Natural Reserve
Contributing to a Biodiversity Hotspot Conservation.
Vale’s Natural Reserve (RNV) is a Company’s property located in
Brazil (State of Espírito Santo) which protects 23,000 hectares of
Atlantic Forest, the most threatened biome of the country. This
reserve works in four pillars - conservation of biological diversity
and ecosystems services, scientific research, education and forest
rehabilitation.
In partnership with ICMBio, Vale supports the protection of the
Sooretama Biological Reserve (Rebio), amounting to about 50,000
ha.
The Reserve protects approximately 5,000 species of plants and
animals of the Atlantic Forest, comprising more than 160
endangered species and 64 endemic species.
It maintains one of the largest nurseries of native seedlings of
the Atlantic Forest, with the capacity to produce three million
seedlings per year.
It has a world-renowned herbarium, which shares knowledge and
supports research in various locations.
In RNV there is also a space for public use intended for leisure
activities and environmental education hosting courses and events
related to biome research.
The Eu Pesquisador project brings together researchers from
projects developed in the Reserve to share knowledge, arouse
interest and raise awareness among students and teachers of public
schools in the region about the importance of Biodiversity. In
2019, 137 students and six teachers from three state schools in
the municipality of Sooretama were involved. The Project had the
partnership of the Municipal Departments of Education and
Transport of Sooretama / ES and researchers from the Federal
University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Pitágoras and Universidade
Vila Velha (UVV) institutions
Vale Fund
Sustainable Development Allied with Biodiversity
Conservation
Over 9 years of operation, the fund has supported 54 initiatives for
conservation and sustainable use of the Amazon Rainforest,
allocating approximately R$ 120 million, in three work programs:
Strategic Monitoring, Protected Areas and Biodiversity, and Green
Cities. It has been recognized among the TOP 10 financiers of Amazon
Rainforest conservation actions, in a study by the Moore Foundation.
It works in a logic of cooperation with civil society organizations,
many of them national and international references in
sustainability, emphasizing their reputation, field presence and
effective results in the Brazilian socio-environmental agenda.
The experience accrued by the Vale Fund has shown that the
conservation of the Amazon Rainforest comprises the success of an
economy that values the standing forest. Thus, since 2015, the Vale
Fund has been striving to strengthen its strategy to support
forest-based and sustainable production chains. As of 2017, its
strategy is focused on fostering a socio-environmental business
ecosystem. The idea is to create a more vibrant environment of
sustainable business with measurable positive impacts, as well as
financial instruments that leverage forest-based and low-carbon
chains.
For more information on Vale Fund,
access the website
Conservation projects
Furthermore, with regard to partnerships, Vale funded conservation
projects for endangered species, with emphasis on:
-
“Amigos da Jubarte” (Humpback whale) Project
- in partnership with Instituto O Canal, Baleia Jubarte Institute,
Vitória City Hall and Espírito Santo’s Federal University.
-
“Onça-pintada – the Competition project” (Jaguar), big cats coexistence and general health in the Atlantic Forest
of Tabuleiro, developed in the Vale’s Natural Reserve (RNV) since
2005 and in partnership with UVV.
-
Study of Medium and Large Mammals endangered with the use of
Drone - partnership with UFV developed
at Vale's protected areas in the Iron Quadrangle
region.
-
Harpia Project - partnership with UFES and
INPA developed at Vale Nature Reserve.
Research and conservation projects
Since 2010, Vale has been working - from the Executive Management of
Technology and Innovation - to Sustainability - in agreements and
partnerships with research fostering institutions (FAPESPA, FAPESP,
FAPEMIG, among others) and universities. In 2019, several projects
were developed with these institutions’ support and with various
universities’ partnerships, such as UFV, UFRJ, UFES and UFMG. These
include projects related to environmental rehabilitation, technology
applied to study of endangered mammals and ecosystem services in
protected areas.
Since 2009, Vale has the
Vale Technological Institute - Mining and Sustainable Development
(ITV DS)
in Belém, a non-profit institution for postgraduate research and
education. This institution has a group of researchers dedicated to
studies related to biodiversity and ecosystem services with focus on
the Carajás National Forest.
The research carried out at ITV is oriented towards social and
environmental issues that challenge the mining chain, primarily in
the territories where Vale operates. The Institute’s agenda focuses
on biodiversity, environmental services, water resources,
environmental genomics, reforestation with native species, recovery
of degraded areas, climate change, occupation and use of land and
socioeconomics.
In addition to research, ITV is involved in training people through
the professional Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in Tropical
Regions master’s program. So far, 85 masters have graduated, 45% of
whom are Vale professionals. In 2019, ITV created the Resident
Master’s Student Program with the purpose of boosting and
influencing local professionals’ training on topics related to the
17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering ten scholarships.
Throughout the year, ITV contributed a total of BRL 40 million
invested in 17 research initiatives with projects that contribute to
biodiversity knowledge and conservation of biodiversity, such as
studies of rare and endemic plant species from ferruginous
rupestrian fields, rare species of bats and invertebrates, taxonomy,
phenology, genomics and propagation.
“ITV works for creating future options, through scientific
researches and technology development and expand Vale’s knowledge
and business frontiers in a sustainable manner.”
For more information access the ITV website
Brazilian Business Commitment to Biodiversity
In 2020, Vale joined the Brazilian Business Commitment for
Biodiversity proposed by the Brazilian Business Council for
Sustainable Development (CEBDS). We further reinforce our commitment
to invest in research, conservation, environmental recovery and
dissemination of the knowledge produced in our areas
https://cebds.org/ibnbio/o-compromisso/.
Zoobotanical Park of Carajás
Among the additional and voluntary actions related to the
conservation of biodiversity, the Vale Zoobotanic Park (PZV),
located in the National Forest of Carajás, houses a squad with 70
species of Amazonian fauna and more than 360 individuals, acting in
the ex-situ conservation of endemic and endangered species. These
are animals from rescues in the company's operations, in
addition to apprehensions and rescues by environmental agencies.
The park works with important actions of environmental education and
awareness for conservation, having received more than 90 thousand
visitors in 2019, including families, schools, universities and
research institutions. In addition, the PZV develops a program for
the reproduction of endangered species, such as the ararajuba
(Guaruba guarouba), endemic to the Brazilian Amazon and considered
vulnerable to extinction. Several species' cubs have already
been born in the Park and, in March 2019, three of them were
reintroduced into natural areas in the city of Belém, in partnership
with the Institute for Forestry and Biodiversity Development
(Ideflor-bio), in the Project for the Reintroduction and Monitoring
of Ararajubas in Conservation Units of RMB - Belém Mais Linda.
Commitments with Biodiversity Conservation
These initiatives reinforce our commitment and confirm that it is
possible to integrate biodiversity to mining.
The Iron Quadrangle region
Vale’s Protected Areas: Formation of Ecological Corridors and
Conservation of Endangered Species in the Iron Quadrangle.
In the Iron Quadrangle region, in Minas Gerais (Brazil) which is
home to the Brazilian Savanah (Cerrado) and Atlantic Forest biome,
there are approximately 68,000 hectares of protected areas as a
result of Vale’s environmental offset actions and voluntary
initiatives. In studies conducted so far, approximately 70 species
of endangered animals and plants were identified in the area.
In 2018, the region represented 3.4 times the area of our operations
in the Iron Quadrangle region. These protected spaces are
established in order to create a mosaic of connectivity between
legal reserves, conservation units and other protected areas,
resulting in significant ecological corridors that play their role
in maintaining genetic diversity.
Carajás
Implications for Licensing, Mitigation, Offset, and Conservation.
In Carajás (Brazil, State of Pará, Amazon rainforest biome), Vale
helps to protect 780,000 hectares of native forests and associated
natural ecosystems, with approximately 7,000 species of protected
plants and animals, including 50 endangered species of animals and
approximately 300 endemic animals of the Amazon Rainforest,
according to studies developed up to 2018. In this area, Vale
creates and helps to maintain, in partnership with ICMBio, the
Carajás Ferruginous Fields National Park, which comprises over
79,000 hectares of protected forests and field vegetation. This park
supports the preservation of the remaining ferruginous field
vegetation in the north of Brazil and extends the protection to more
than 22,000 hectares of areas connected to the Carajás National
Forest.
Species recovery, restoration and conservation
Focused on the reproduction of considering rare native species of
the Iron Quadrangle region of Minas Gerais, endemic and endangered
species, a Biofactory is dedicated to the recovery and restoration
of areas using key-species for the region's biodiversity
conservation.
In 2019, more than 40 million species were selected, species such as
Cattleya milleri, orchid considered "Critically
Endangered", or Arthrocereus glaziovii cactus considered
"Endangered", as endemic species of rupestrian fields.
During the year, approximately 3,000 individuals were reintroduced
into recovery restoration areas. The seedlings’ monitoring proves a
high percentage of survival in the field, assisting the enrichment
and restoration of habitats.
In the Tubarão Complex, in Espírito Santo, Vale developed the
recovery of areas and manages 113 hectares, in addition to the
recovery of another 31 hectares, in permanent preservation areas
around the lagoons. The project also involved planting 8,500
seedlings of native and fruitful species from the Atlantic Forest,
including endangered species. Also noteworthy is the implementation
of the Executive Plan for Ecological Restoration in the Fonte Grande
State Park, with the main objective of reestablishing the connection
between forest fragments. Located in the central massif on the
island of Vitória, the project will be responsible for recovering 33
hectares by planting 8 thousand seedlings of species from the
Atlantic Forest.
Protected areas and conservation units
Vale operates within conservation units in high biodiversity value
regions, always respecting the legal requirements in each category
of Conservation Unit. In Carajás, for example, there are operations
in the Carajás National Forest (Minas in Serra Norte and S11D) and
in the Tapirapé Aquiri National Forest (Salobo). These are
sustainable use conservation units, a category that allows human
activities in joint development with the biodiversity conservation.
In Minas Gerais, most of the operational units of the Iron
Quadrangle are located within the Southern Environmental Protection
Area (APA Sul, in portuguese), also in the category of conservation
units for sustainable use.
In pursuit of biodiversity conservation, Vale establishes
partnerships with conservation units of third parties, formalized or
not, in which it invests in infrastructure, ecosystem protection
(firebreaks, fences, prevention and fighting against fire and
hunting), research and innovation.
Cavities and rock fields
The rupestrian fields are associated with mining deposits and suffer
the greatest impacts from activities such as urban expansion,
pasture areas and agriculture. In the case of the Iron Quadrangle
(QF), in Minas Gerais, the project “Mapping the Phytophysiognomies
of the Preserved Areas of the Iron Quadrangle”, from the Instituto
Socioambiental de Viçosa, demonstrated that mining occupies about 3%
of the QF area, compared to 15% of agriculture and 69% occupied by
natural areas. Studies show that mining areas represent a low
percentage of land use however contribute 42% of the preserved area.
In southeastern Pará, considering the total area of ferruginous
rock fields on the limits of the Carajás National Forest and the
Ferruginous fields National Park National Park, only 5% have
suffered intervention by mining activities in the last 10 years.
Created in 2017, the Ferruginous fields National Park National Park
resulted from the environmental licensing of the S11D Eliezer
Batista Complex, with the objective of safeguarding representative
areas of ferruginous rock fields in 3,900 hectares and cavities.
The rare, endemic and/or endangered species surveys are regional,
going beyond the boundaries of the company's operations and
cover all available areas of rupestrian fields. This management aims
to know the operation area and to map areas of occurrence of species
of interest.
Main actions carried out in 2019 on the species of rupestrian
fields:
Project to search for critical flora species in the Iron Quadrangle,
Southeast of Pará, Vale protected areas and members of the National
System of Conservation Units (SNUC).
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Creation of a network of taxonomists from different national
research institutions to monitor the botanical identification of
new species.
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Collection of seeds of the main rare, endemic and/or endangered
species in Carajás, with cultivation and propagation in nurseries.
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Training of rescue teams and nurseries on the species of interest
for their respective conservation.
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Elaboration of Germination Protocols of endemic species in
rupestrian fields, to generate knowledge about them, in addition
to techniques for seedling production.
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Project to rescue and translocate lycophytes in the ferruginous
rock fields of Northern Brazil, in partnership with ITVDS and
UFRJ/NUPEM.
Recovery of degraded areas
Both the planning and execution of the recovery of degraded areas,
RAD in Portuguese, are the responsibility of the operating units
that integrate the company's mining complexes and logistical
corridors (ports and railways), so that the recovery process
incorporates ecological, aesthetic-landscape, socio-economic and
cultural values different territories in which it operates. The
corporate area, in addition to providing technical support, has the
role of standardizing the technical, administrative and operational
procedures applicable to RAD, in addition to promoting the
collection and consolidation of the main performance indicators,
with the view to support decision-making and give visibility to the
theme.
In order to align the process with the Sustainability Policy, Vale
established the RAD System Management Standard, whose objective is
to define and standardize the general guidelines to be observed in
the planning and execution of the recovery activities of degraded
areas of the company nation ambit.
PRORAD
The focus of the Program for the Improvement of the Recovery of
Degraded Areas (PRORAD), in 2019, was the implementation of the
improvements mapped in the executed pilots in 2016 and 2017.
Technical cooperation agreements were signed with regional
universities to internalize the results obtained, either through
training for RAD teams or in the unfolding of previous studies,
aimed at attending specific cases.
The actions foreseen in PRORAD are being implemented, permeating
several areas of knowledge, such as: specific fertilization of
mining substrates, selection of plant species adapted to the
revegetation of mined features, the monitoring of recovered mined
areas and the mechanization of soil preparation in cutting slopes,
among others.
Amazon
We’ve been in the Amazon for more than 30 years, helping to protect
approximately 800 thousand hectares in partnership with Brazil’s
ICMBio. The area is five times the size of São Paulo’s capital city
and represents a total of 490 million tons of carbon equivalent.
In the last decade, through our Fundo Vale, we supported more than 70
initiatives led by research institutions, governmental agencies, NGOs
and startups. These partnerships have enabled us to protect more than
23 million hectares of rainforest.
Through Vale Foundation, we invest in social projects in the states of
Pará and Maranhão, in areas such as health, education, culture and
income generation.
And through the Vale Technological Institute, we invest in
biodiversity, genome and climate change research. All these
initiatives combined represent a total of R$792 million in investments
made.
For that reason, we are reaffirming our commitment to promoting
sustainable development in the region:
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To respect and promote the rights and the culture of indigenous
peoples and traditional communities.
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To support the fight against illegal mining and logging, in addition
to promoting spatial planning and land regularization in
consolidated areas.
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To invest in renewable energy sources and to reduce carbon
emissions, with goals adhering to the Paris Agreement.
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To promote the inclusion of forests in the carbon markets through
REDD and other mechanisms.
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To encourage environmental protection and restoration initiatives,
highlighting the value of the rainforest, increasing carbon
sequestration and stocking, and ensuring that we continue to offer
environmental stewardship services.
This is how we’re advancing the New Pact with Society we have
established.
Click here to know Vale’s Amazon page.
Perspectives
The Biodiversity and Forest Conservation and Management has great
challenges, among them is the search for new technologies to allows the
implementation of increasingly sustainable projects. All this involves
not only companies, but also government, university, and other research
institutions’ initiatives which may work together to develop and
implement these efforts.
Increasing knowledge of protected areas and improving risk analysis on
biodiversity are also part of the challenges that Vale is facing - as
these measures strengthen the foundations for risk analysis and impact
prevention, as well as for the planning of mitigation and conservation
measures. Investments in research and development actions that are
already part of this strategy are a great opportunity to ensure
successful outcomes for these challenges.
Furthermore, Vale is also in tune with global trends on the subject.
Alignment with the global sustainability agenda, focusing mainly on the
goals of the Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Earth Life), and the
global biodiversity strategy, focusing on the Aichi goals, have been
increasingly integrated into the strategy of company.
Business Case
Vale & Biodiversity - results of initiatives that realize our
strategy
The Flora of Carajás
Carajás’ ferruginous canga has been the subject of a research developed
by 145 researchers from 30 institutions in the country and abroad. As a
result, the Carajás region now has one of the best studied floras in the
country, which contributes to its conservation. A total of 1,094
distinct species in 164 families have been identified.
One of the aspects that made the work unique was the collection of plant
samples for producing genetic identifiers known as DNA bar codes through
sequencing, which resulted in the production of a reference library for
flora, allowing species and their evolutionary relationships to be
rapidly and objectively identified.
The results also enabled the development to be developed to use of plant
DNA existing in the soil, as a new molecular tool for environmental
monitoring. The results of the flora research published in 169 articles
in four issues of the journal Rodriguésia, from the Botanical Garden of
Rio de Janeiro, and in another 10 additional works. The same approach is
being applied in the study of the flora of the Amazon Forest and the
cave biota.
Biodiversity, Mining and Conservation
Today, about 1 million hectares of forest, mostly in the Amazon, is
protected by Vale, directly or through partnerships. We
committed to recover and protect 500,000 ha by 2030. Once we
do it, it will be an area greater than the Northern Ireland.
For decades Vale has been protecting the Amazon forest, while mining the
largest iron ore mine in the world. Thus, the image below shows how,
unfortunately, almost all the surrounding area outside the borders of
the protected area have been deforested over the past 30 years, being
practically intact only the area Vale helps protect.