In the Ferrous business, Vale's integrated risk management system for geotechnical structures is based on three main pillars:
People
Teams specialized in dam control and management are dedicated to Vale's structures.
Processes
Reassessment of safety, risk and emergency management procedures throughout the structure cycle, from project implementation to operation. In all phases, a risk prognosis is made, and a state of alert is established in case of an emergency. The safety policy for dams and geotechnical mining structures, established in October 2020, and Vale's normative standard for business risk management, revised in December 2020, guide this work.
Information Systems
There are two systems in the Ferrous area:
-
Geotc: stores structural maintenance and monitoring data;
-GRG: stores technical data of the structures and the Dam Safety Plan (PSB).
Emergency situations are considered those arising from adverse events that affect the dam safety and may cause damage to its structural and operational integrity, preservation of life, health, property and environment. The emergency should be assessed and classified according to the levels below:
Level 1
Detailment:
When an anomaly is detected that results in the maximum score for the state of conservation or for any other situation with a potential compromise in the safety of the structure, requiring special daily inspections.
Comunication to:
the Brazilian National Mining Agency (ANM), environmental agencies and Civil Defense (national, state and municipal).
Vale’s structures
Immediate actions: signaling instability and intensifying monitoring.
Dams: 5, 6, 7A, Área IX, Campo Grande, Capim Branco, Dicão Leste, B Dike, Borrachudo II Dike, Paracatu Dike, Forquilha IV,, Maravilhas II, Marés I, Marés II, Menezes II, Peneirinha, Santana, Sistema 5 (MAC), Sistema Pontal, Taquaras, Vargem Grande
Level 2
Detailment:
When the result of the actions taken in the anomaly referred to in
Level 1 is classified as “uncontrolled” or “not extinguished”, requiring new special inspections and interventions.
Comunication to:
the ANM, environmental agencies, Civil Defense (national, state and municipal), Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) and Secondary Safety Zone (ZSS).
Vale’s structures
Immediate actions: From that level, people in the ZAS are evacuated.Dams: Capitão do Mato, Doutor, Forquilha I, Forquilha II, Grupo, Sul Inferior, Xingu,
Norte/Laranjeiras
Emergency Action Plan for Mining Dams (PAEBM)
Part of the Dam Safety Plan (PSB), PAEBM is a technical document filed with city halls and Civil Defenses (municipal, state and federal) and which defines immediate actions in case of emergency.
Objectives:
- Avoid or minimize loss of lives, social, economic and environmental impacts;
- Identify and classify situations and/or events that may jeopardize the integrity of the dam's structure;
- Establish emergency actions;
- Inform the flow of communication with the various agents involved
The PAEBM is registered in the Town Halls, Local, State and Federal Civil Defense, and in 2020, it will be revised and filed in the environmental institutuions of Minas Gerais.
Content of PAEBM
Community engagement:
So that residents near the dams know how to react in emergency situations.
- Conducting simulations with communities;
- Partnership with the Civil Defense;
- Siren and alert systems
- Open channel with the community for questions and clarifications about the PAEBM
Related parties:
Entrepreneur
Private or governmental agent who operates the dam for own or collective benefit;
Technician responsable
In charge of the project's professional duties: dam construction, operation, maintenance or monitoring;
Coordinator
Agent appointed by the entrepreneur to coordinate the PAEBM, committed to being available to act promptly in the emergency situations of the dam;
Security Team
Group formed by professionals from the entrepreneur's own staff or by professionals contracted specifically for this purpose.
External agents
Public authorities responsible for supervising and managing dam safety. They act in case of emergency.
Geotechnical Monitoring Center
.Team of the entrepreneur which continuously monitors the dam and performs the actions previously established for emergency situations
Definition of areas close to dams:
Used to classify the surrounding populations in case of emergencies.
Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS)
Region where there is not enough time for the competent authorities to intervene in emergency situations. For its delimitation, a distance that corresponds to a time of arrival of the flood wave equal to thirty minutes or 10 km must be adopted.
Secondary Safety Zone (ZSS)
Region contained in the Flood Map and which cannot be defined as ZAS.
Expected Actions Flow - PAEBM:
Brumadinho (MG)
In the episode at the Córrego do Feijão mine dam, in Brumadinho (MG), shortly after the event were created:
Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management
Vale is focused on the evolution of its Tailings & Dams Management System ("TDMS") for the Ferrous, Coal and Base Metals businesses. During 2019 and 2020, Vale worked closely with the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and participated actively in the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management ("GISTM") – an effort whose purpose is to improve safety through all phases of the tailings storage facilities life-cycle.
As of 5 August 2020, Vale and all ICMM members are committed to implement the GISTM. All tailings facilities operated by Vale with “Extreme” or “Very high” potential consequences will be in conformance with the GISTM by 5 August 2023. All other tailings facilities operated by Vale not in a state of safe closure will be in conformance with the GISTM by 5 August 2025.
Vale’s Board of Directors approved, in October 2020, a new Policy for Dam Safety and Geotechnical Mining Structure, which counts with the GISTM as one of its references. Among other guidelines, the policy enforces that all components of Vale’s TDMS are designed with continuous improvement elements, using and applying the best available technology and best practices according to international institutions, including the ICMM.
The company has been working on the evolution of its TDMS prior to the GISTM launching, and the similarities between Vale’s TDMS and the GISTM have shown to be very high, based on a preliminary consideration. Hence, Vale consider it is well positioned to be adherent to the GISTM by the end of 2021.
Vale concluded its first internal assessment based on the GISTM requirements and an in-depth assessment will follow, based on the detailed conformance requirements yet to be provided by the Global Tailings Review Initiative in early 2021. After this evaluation, our senior management will perform a critical analysis and set an action plan to address eventual gaps and improvements to our practices, in order to have all the GISTM principles and recommendations implemented. The timetable for the in-depth assessment will be disclosed in due course.
Learn about Vale's ongoing initiatives to support the GISTM implementation:
Vale reiterates its commitment to safety, transparency and the adoption of the known best practices for managing its tailings facilities.