Waste
Our production process generates mineral and
non-mineral wastes. We maintain a waste management
program focused on
minimization, segregation, traceability, valuation and proper
disposal, in addition to encouraging the generation of jobs and income from
recycling practices.
The mining and processing activities generate waste called as waste or
tailings. These mining wastes have a different management process and
are currently disposed of in structures called piles and dams. See more
information about
dams control and management.
In what concerns non-mineral waste, an efficient management is of great
importance to Vale, since it enables us to minimize the environmental
impact generated by our activities. This way, our
Waste Management Program focuses on the performance of
three main fronts:
KPIs Report
In 2019, 698 thousand tons of waste were generated, of which
46.8 thousand tons can be classified as hazardous and 651.2 thousand
tons as non-hazardous. From the total generated waste, 52% of the
waste was sustainably destined through reprocessing, recycling and reuse.
Disposal and Destination
(Total of 698 thousand tons GRI 306-2)
Performance Evolution
Vale generated approximately 698,000 tons of waste in
2019, a 5.6% increase when compared to 2018. About 6.7% of these wastes
are classified as hazardous.
For mining and metallurgical residues in
2019, Vale generated 625.9 million tons.
Generation of non-mineral waste
(in thousand tons) GRI 306-2
Vale destined 681.97 thousand tons of non-mineral waste in 2019, of which
52% had a sustainable destination, through reprocessing, recycling and
reuse:
Global Disposal and Destination
(in thousand tons) GRI 306-2
Total mineral and metallurgical waste
(In million tons)
Goals
| Vale Unit |
Indicator / KPI |
|
Malasya
|
Reduction of generation of hazardous waste |
|
Procurement
|
Increase of sustainable waste disposal, excluding metal waste |
|
EFVM
|
Reduction of waste without sustainable disposal |
|
South / Southeast Ports
|
Reduction of non-sustainable waste disposal |
|
Salobo
|
Reduction of the generation of waste with non-sustainable disposal
|
|
Onça Puma
|
Reduction of the generation of hazardous waste with non-sustainable
disposal
|
Malasya
|
Vale Unit
|
|
| Malasya |
|
|
Indicator / KPI
|
|
| Reduction of generation of hazardous waste |
|
Supplies
|
Vale Unit
|
|
| Supplies |
|
|
Indicator / KPI
|
|
|
Increase of sustainable waste disposal, excluding metal waste
|
|
EFVM
|
Vale Unit
|
|
| EFVM |
|
|
Indicator / KPI
|
|
| Reduction of waste without sustainable disposal |
|
South / Southeast Ports
|
Vale Unit
|
|
| South / Southeast Ports |
|
|
Indicator / KPI
|
|
| Reduction of non-sustainable waste disposal |
|
Salobo
|
Vale Unit
|
|
| Salobo |
|
|
Indicator / KPI
|
|
|
Reduction of the generation of waste with non-sustainable
disposal
|
|
Onça Puma
|
Vale Unit
|
|
| Onça Puma |
|
|
Indicator / KPI
|
|
|
Reduction of the generation of hazardous waste with
non-sustainable disposal
|
|
Our Management
Vale has an environmental technology area that develops projects for the
waste recovery with the operational areas. Each operational unit must
unfold and adapted its waste management to its local reality and culture,
seeking specific goals to meet its priorities and considering the Vale
Waste Management Plan.
The programs targets are mainly focused on two indicators: reduction
of generation and increase of sustainable destination, such as composting,
reuse, re-refining and recycling, valuing the use and seeking to reduce
the disposal of waste in landfills, in compliance with SDG 12 -Responsible Consumption and
Production.
Risks Overview
As a way to control the destination of waste in Brazil, Vale created the
Waste Recipient Audits Program, in which all companies that receive waste
from Vale Brazil undergo an environmental assessment and auditing process
within a maximum period of three years.
During 2019, 61 audits were carried out, for a total of 265 companies
actively registered.
Business Case
Wood waste energy use from the Carajás Mine
The Carajás Mine, through a project in partnership with a local company,
sought to use wood waste energy to reduce the final disposal in landfills,
besides supporting the activities of a local furniture cooperative. The
result was the reuse of 220 tons of wood waste during 2018, with potential
for expansion in the coming years.
PCBs Destination
Vale has also developed actions to speed up the destination of waste with
polychlorinated biphenyls, known as PCBs, in all its operational units,
and thus anticipate the goals of the Stockholm Convention for eliminating
such materials by 2025, besides ensuring their adequate final disposal by
2028. PCBs are considered environmental contaminants that impact health
and ecosystems. In 2018, 150 tons of PCB waste were disposed of in Brazil,
including transformer equipment and used oils.
Heavy Recycling Vale
Initiative stirs up the chain that turns waste into social, environmental
and economic gains, by recycling 9 thousand tons of tires per year. The
waste originated from unserviceable trucks is wholly reused. The scrap
metal is converted into construction material, such as rebar. Tires are
returned as lagging rubber sheets or are turned into rubber chips. The
tire recycling companies set up near Vale’s operations, stimulating the
local development.
Read Also
Business Life Cycle
The integrated planning of all the steps in the mine life cycle
strengthens our risk management processes
Read more
Water
Our commitment is to reduce water collection by 10% by 2030
Read more
