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Our Management Approach  

The waste materials generated in our production process fall under two major categories: mining - metallurgical waste and industrial waste. Each category is subject to different regulations and requires different approaches to waste management and disposal.  

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Waste categories: 

  • Mining - metallurgical: this category includes waste rock excavated during mining operations; mine tailings; and slag generated in the metallurgical processing of nickel, copper, cobalt, iron ore, and manganese. Mining-metallurgical waste accounts for the bulk of the waste we produce, with 406.1 million metric tons generated in 2022. 
  • Industrial: this category includes scrap rubber, plastics, used oils, contaminated materials, scrap wood, scrap metal, food leftovers, and other materials. The annual volume produced is significantly lower, totaling 600,400 metric tons in 2022. 
This separation is important not only because of the difference in scale but especially because of the different approaches to managing and disposing of mining - metallurgical waste depending on the source mineral reserves, the method of mining, and the metallurgical and other processing technology. Waste management and enhancing value from waste are two major challenges currently facing the mining industry. 

Mining waste 

In 2020, we published our Mining and Metallurgical Waste Management Policy, establishing guidelines on enhanced waste management and committing investments for our transition to an innovative circular mining approach that can unlock new value chains and maximize value from waste.  

This policy is revised at least every three years or as otherwise needed and is structured around three areas of action: implementing best optimization and processing practices at each mining stage; investing in R&D and technology, including new value chains for tailings and slag; and implementing dry processing where permitted by geological conditions.  

Our dry processing model utilizes the natural moisture contained in the ore. We perform monthly reviews of data on mining - metallurgical waste production, disposal and value recovery, with reports generated for both internal and external stakeholders. 

Where no value recovery option is available, tailings are disposed of in dams in accordance with Vale’s Dam Safety and Geotechnical Mining Structures Policy. See here for further information on dam management and dam safety. 

Vale continues to invest in solutions to reduce our dependence on new dams and additional dam raises. In 2022, we reached an approximate 79% share of dry processing production compared to 40% in 2014. We expect to have only approximately 15% of our production based on tailings disposal in dams built in a single step or raised by center line or downstream method.  

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Volume of mining and metallurgical waste (million t) 

  • Iron ore - tailings
  • Iron ore - waste rock
  • Other businessess*
  • Total
*Includes waste rock and tailings from nickel, manganese, coal and copper mining, and slag (manganese alloy).

Industrial waste 

In 2005, we launched our Waste Recipient Audit Program. Our more than 240 waste handling contractors undergo assessments and environmental audits at least every three years. 
Based on Vale’s high-level waste management guidelines, each site develops a waste management program suited to local conditions, including priority targets such as minimizing waste generation while increasing composting, reuse, re-refining, and recycling. 
Vale's Archive

Industrial waste generated (thousand t) 

  • Non-hazardous

  • Hazardous

  • Total

Industrial waste disposal 

  • Reprocessing/Recycling/Reuse 

  • Soil disposal* 

  • Others**

*External landfill, internal landfill, disposal in waste rock piles and subsoil.
**Co-processing, incineration and biological treatment. 

Learn more in Industrial waste management initiatives

For detailed disclosures on waste management, see our ESG Databook 

Other relevant information 

Vale's Archive