Ethics and Transparency
"Do what is right": that is one of our values. That is why ethics and integrity are principles that guide our daily activities.
In a big company such as Vale, we interact with different partners every day, being those employees, suppliers, clients, communities, public agents, investigators, shareholders and journalists, among others. We also constantly deal with the tangible and intangible assets of our company.
All these relations should be guided by the highest ethical standards, expressed in our Code of Conduct, with principles and guidelines to drive the professional conduct of all Vale’s employees as well as our subsidiaries and both directly and indirectly controlled companies.
The general Conduct rules included in this Code should be respected by the members of the Board of Directors and its Advisory Committees, Fiscal Council, CEO, Executive Directors, employees, interns, service providers and all those acting on behalf of Vale or its controlled companies. All other entities in which Vale has an interest should also follow this Code, to the extent possible.
The Code of Conduct provides guidance on several subjects, such as Health and Safety, Human Rights, diverse and inclusive working environment, fair competition, conflict of interest, anti-corruption, environment, besides relations with suppliers, utilization of company resources, gifts and hospitalities, data protection and others.
Tax Transparency Report 2019
We recognize that being leading participant in the global mining sector brings significant social and economic responsibilities in the jurisdictions where we operate. The publication of our first fiscal
Tax Transparency Report demonstrates our commitment to transparency and follows the principles recommended by international entities such as ICMM (International Council on Mining and Metals) and EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative).
Vale strives to provide employment, strategic and sustainable development, significant investments and pay taxes to governments, as required by local law.
This report details taxes and royalties paid in Brazil, where most of the operations are located, and worldwide for all government spheres, highlighting four countries: Indonesia, Mozambique, Canada and New Caledonia.
The total of US $ 4.5 billion paid in 2019 corresponds to more than 10% of Vale's total economic contribution in 2019.
In 2019, Vale paid a net contribution of US$ 4.5 billion in taxes and royalties. The majority of this contribution — US$ 4.25 billion (93.7%) — was paid in Brazil.
Global Anti-Corruption Program
Vale's Code of Conduct has a chapter dedicated to the company's Global Anti-Corruption Program.
That is because Vale has zero tolerance towards corruption, and believes that abuse of power for obtaining personal gain is not a fair way to do business. It is strictly prohibited to offer or receive any kind of gift, favor or any valuable objects, direct or indirectly, to influence a decision or obtain an improper advantage.
The Global Anti-Corruption Program is one of our instruments for preventing and fighting corruption by public officials. It is a comprehensive set of rules that reinforce one of our values, “Do what is right”, and which must be followed throughout the company. The management of this program is the responsibility of the Corporate Integrity area, which, in 2018, continued to disseminate and reinforce the culture of compliance and anti-corruption within the workforce.
One of the topics highlighted by the program is the prohibition of donations and/or contributions to campaigns, political movements and/or candidates, either directly or indirectly. This prohibition is registered in Vale's bylaws and also includes its subsidiaries in Brazil and abroad.
The program's main documents are the Code of Conduct, the Global Anti-Corruption Policy and the Global Anti-Corruption Manual.
The program follows the laws and regulations to which it is subject, including, but not limited to, Law 12,846/13 - Brazilian Anti-Corruption Law, the FCPA, U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act.
The program in practice
In 2018, initiatives such as in-person and online training (mandatory for all employees with computer access), sending announcements, intranet program page redesigning and periodic follow-up meetings with critical areas of the company were carried out.
In 2018, announcements concerning the anti-corruption policy and procedures were made to the senior governance, employees and suppliers, who should adhere to the Supplier’s Code of Conduct. In addition, companies rated by the program as high-risk suppliers - representing 7.64% - also receive the Anti-Corruption Policy and must apply its rules when providing services to Vale. In the jurisdictions where we operate (South America, Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Canada), more than 6,000 people underwent training, among 626 leaders (from supervisors to senior leadership) and 5,243 employees. Vale makes available, for access by all employees, the policies and rules regarding this subject.
Every year, on the World Anti-Corruption Day, an email is sent to all employees, in which the CEO and the general consultant reinforce Vale's values and zero tolerance for any kind of corruption.
As part of the Global Anti-Corruption Program, in 2018, 18,000 due diligences were carried out by Corporate Security, around 4,000 more when compared to 2017, as well as due diligences in third parties that negotiated with Vale, whether these be suppliers, subcontractors, surface-right owners or entities prior to any donation or sponsorship payment.
Our policies and standards are aligned with the best market practices.
Anti-Corruption Rules for Vale’s suppliers
All our work at Vale is guided by the principles of ethics and integrity. Vale has zero tolerance for corruption and bribery. We seek to have a chain of suppliers and third parties that also have this commitment to fight corruption, contributing to a more ethical and fair society. This is the way we want to do business.
Assista em outros idiomas
Ethics and Integrity Program
One of the main initiatives to promote ethics and transparency in the company is the Movement for Integrity. Held annually since 2015, the action is aimed at all Vale leaders, employees and third parties. They are encouraged to debate ethical values and to report incorrect behaviors at all hierarchical levels of the company. In 2018, the action reached 58,000 employees and third parties in our worldwide operations.
Perspectives
Vale plays a key role in discussions concerning regulations within the mining field. With this, it closely followed the regulation, in 2018, of the new Mining Code and the creation of the National Mining Agency, initiatives that seek to encourage financing for the sector and the application of stricter environmental rules. Now, any practices that compromise the environment or the biodiversity of areas where the mining companies operate will be immediately punished. The regulations, widely supported by Vale, reinforce the company's commitment to dialogue and transparent measures for the sector over the coming years.
Whistleblower Channel
The Whistleblower Channel (previously known as the Ethics and Ombudsman Channel), available to Vale's internal and external public, is a proactive, transparent, independent and impartial communication tool for reporting violations or suspected non-compliance with any of the topics described in our Code of Conduct. Among them, we highlight possible accounting irregularities or improprieties or any other accounting issues, audit matters and those related to internal controls, standards, policies, ethics, human rights and environment. The
Whistleblower Channel can also be used when regular problem solving mechanisms provided by Vale, such as call centers, do not provide an adequate solution to a problem already reported.
According to the organization chart below, the
Whistleblower Channel area reports directly to Vale's Board of Directors; being, therefore, impartial in its activities and, especially, in handling complaints.
In line with our commitment to evolve in our Governance practices, and to reinforce our third line of defense, the Audit Committee was established in March 2020. The Audit Committee will supervise the Compliance Department, responsible for the areas of integrity and internal audits and Whistleblower Channel.
The Compliance Office was created after the Board of Directors recommendation in March 11, 2020 and the creation of a position of Chief Compliance Officer approved by the statutory reform of April 30, 2020.
History of the Channel
In 2006, Vale created its Ombudsman. In 2013, the General Ombudsman department was created with two main attributions: the Promotion of Ethical Conduct, developing several communication and training actions to continuously improve Vale’s ethical awareness, and the operation of the Ethics and Ombudsman Channel, with the receipt, analysis and coordination of investigations concerning complaints and claims from both the internal and external publics.
In 2020, Vale created the Compliance Officer, who will be responsible for the compliance office, including the integrity department, for the internal audit and the Whistleblower Channel (former Ombudsman), which are directly subordinated to the Board of Directors and interacts with the Audit Committee.
Since the creation of the Ethics and Conduct Office in 2013, the number of complaints has more than doubled, with an increase of 151% considering 2019 data.
The
Whistleblower Channel handles all cases confidentially, and all complaints made are carefully received and handled by the responsible team. There is a formal process conducted by the Whistleblower Channel team to handle a complaint.
Complaints Assessment Flow
How complaints are assessed by the
Whistleblower Channel:
Complaint
The whistleblower makes a complaint in one of the Ombudsman Channels. The complaint may be anonymous or identified.
Analysis
Complaints are analyzed to verify whether there is sufficient information for the assessment, and then classified according to their criticality and theme.
Assessment
After analysis, the complaints are sent to specialized areas in the Company or are directly assessed by the
Whistleblower Channel.
Closure
For confirmed cases, the results of the assessment are shared with the leadership and an action plan is defined to address the identified issues.
Feedback
A final response is provided to the whistleblower, who can access it through the protocol initially received during registration. The action plan is executed by the responsible persons.
Investigations
In 2019, investigations carried out by the Whistleblower Channel resulted in 1,833 corrective actions, including the dismissal of 227 employees. In addition, two cases of discrimination by Vale employees were confirmed. All of them were analyzed by the company, which proceeded with the dismissal of those involved.
The chart below shows the distribution of complaints received in 2019 by subject:
People management
- Inadequate personnel management
- Inadequate behavior
- Moral or sexual harassment
- Discrimination
Third-Party Relations
- Supplier Relations
- Relations with Government or Communities
- Customer Relations
Fraud
- Falsification of diplomas
- Fraud in contracts management
- Fraud in the hiring process
Health, Safety and Environment
- Accident concealment
- Environmental infractions
Conflicts of Interest
- Hiring relatives
- Improper benefit through suppliers
- Hiring companies from relatives or friends
Cases Monitoring
The Whistleblower Channel constantly monitors the cases at various times of the year
Below we can see how the treated cases are managed and their levels of service:
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Board of Directors |
- Monthly management report of the most relevant cases.
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Fiscal Council |
- Monthly report of concluded cases with high and medium criticality;
- Management report of the most relevant cases;
- Monthly presentation to answer any potential questions.
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Personnel Board Committee |
- Presentation of cases in which the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Officers, Directors or Executive Managers are the accused, with direct report to the Board of Directors.
- Definition of the action plan for confirmed complaints related to managers within its scope.
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Ethics Committee |
- Definition of action plan for confirmed allegations concerning managers within its scope.
- Monthly management report of the most relevant cases;
- Quarterly meetings with presentation of cases involving Executive Managers and Directors out of the scope of the Personnel Board Committee;
- Definition of the action plan for confirmed complaints concerning managers within its scope.
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External Public |
- Annual Whistleblower Channel report.
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Board of Directors
- Monthly management report of the most relevant cases.
Fiscal Council
Shared information:
- Monthly report of concluded cases with high and medium criticality;
- Management report of the most relevant cases;
- Monthly presentation to answer any potential questions.
People Committee
Personnel Board Committee
- Presentation of cases in which the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Officers, Directors or Executive Managers are the accused, with direct report to the Board of Directors.
- Definition of the action plan for confirmed complaints related to managers within its scope.
Committee of Ethics
Shared information:
- Monthly management report of the most relevant cases;
- Quarterly meetings with presentation of cases involving Executive Managers and Directors out of the scope of the Personnel Board Committee;
- Definition of the action plan for confirmed complaints concerning managers within its scope.
Vale’s Whistleblower Channel has several channels for reporting complaints:
Electronic form
Access the form at the
Whistleblower Channel page, available
here on Vale’s website.
Phone
Calls are free of charge and there is a specific number for each country.
Brazil: 0800 821 5000 or +55 21 3485-3000 (Vale internal phone)
Canada: 1-844-450-5001
Mozambique – Vodacom: 84 5000 (cell phone) / 3208 or 801 3208 (internal extension) / +258 21 24 3208 (external number)
Other countries, collect call to +55 21 3485-3000
Conduct Office webpage.
Letter
Vale’s
Whistleblower Channel
P.O. Box 521 - ZIP Code 06320-971
Carapicuíba – São Paulo - Brazil
Personally
Directly to the
Whistleblower Channel, by appointment, which can be scheduled by phone(+55 21 3485 3400).
Go to the
Ethics and Conduct Office for more information.
