Air emissions (non-GHG)
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Mining operations release particulate matter (PM), sulfur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere, affecting air quality and local ecosystems. These airborne pollutants are emitted from the stacks of pelletizing, briquetting and basic metals operations, as well as from fuel combustion in mobile equipment.
Recognizing the potential adverse impacts from our business, we have undertaken public commitments to mitigating those impacts by implementing more efficient and sustainable processes as well as innovative emissions management technology. We seek to go beyond minimum legal requirements, in line with our global strategy of leading the transition to low-carbon mining. We are especially focused on minimizing impacts from air emissions on communities surrounding our operations.
Recognizing the potential adverse impacts from our business, we have undertaken public commitments to mitigating those impacts by implementing more efficient and sustainable processes as well as innovative emissions management technology. We seek to go beyond minimum legal requirements, in line with our global strategy of leading the transition to low-carbon mining. We are especially focused on minimizing impacts from air emissions on communities surrounding our operations.
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We have set the following targets for 2030, from a 2018 baseline:
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reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions by 16%
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reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 10%
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reduce sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions by 16%
Photographer: Marcelo Coelho
Performance indicators
SOx Emissions (thousand metric tons)
NOx Emissions (thousand metric tons)
Particulate Emissions (thousand metric tons)
Performance improvement
By the end of 2023, we had already achieved the SOx and NOx targets for 2030 (16 and 10% respectively) and approximately two thirds of the PM target. Part of this gradual reduction is linked to production. To make progress on this commitment, we are adopting initiatives on several fronts, including:
• Integrating PM, NOx and SOx reduction programs with our low-carbon strategy
• Supporting the development of emissions reduction technology
• Fueling with biofuels
• Improving operational efficiency
• Enhancing governance through technical committees, low-carbon forums and greenhouse gas (GHG) working groups
• Integrating PM, NOx and SOx reduction programs with our low-carbon strategy
• Supporting the development of emissions reduction technology
• Fueling with biofuels
• Improving operational efficiency
• Enhancing governance through technical committees, low-carbon forums and greenhouse gas (GHG) working groups
The figures below summarize our recent improvement in emissions performance:
Compared to the base year of 2018, there was a reduction¹ of approximately 10% in the amount of particulate matter emitted in 2023
Compared to the 2018 figures, there was a significant reduction¹ of around 45% in the emission of sulphur oxides in 2023
Considering the base year of 2018, there was a reduction¹ of approximately 33% in the emission of nitrogen oxides in 2023
Note 1: Reduction mainly related to lower production compared to 2018 and also to improved operational discipline. The emissions curve tends to rise as production increases in the coming years, being offset by the technological initiatives to be implemented by 2030.
Explore the complete performance indicators in our ESG Databook
Compared to the base year of 2018, there was a reduction¹ of approximately 10% in the amount of particulate matter emitted in 2023
Compared to the 2018 figures, there was a significant reduction¹ of around 45% in the emission of sulphur oxides in 2023
Considering the base year of 2018, there was a reduction¹ of approximately 33% in the emission of nitrogen oxides in 2023
Note 1: Reduction mainly related to lower production compared to 2018 and also to improved operational discipline. The emissions curve tends to rise as production increases in the coming years, being offset by the technological initiatives to be implemented by 2030.
Explore the complete performance indicators in our ESG Databook
Our Management Approach
Our approach to responsible emissions management is based on our VPS management model and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9 and 12.
We have established 4 strategic pillars of action:
We have established 4 strategic pillars of action:
1.
Emissions Governance
2.
Emissions Monitoring
3.
Emissions Control
4.
Risk and Impact Management
Alongside these pillars, we use a mitigation hierarchy approach to prevent adverse impacts from changes in air quality, mitigate any impacts that cannot be prevented, and offset/neutralize any residual impacts on workers, affected communities and the environment.
We work to reduce our emissions through measures that include improving control systems, pilot testing dust suppressor products, and enhancing management processes. Emissions and air quality monitoring equipment ensures a prompt response to any deviations.
We work to reduce our emissions through measures that include improving control systems, pilot testing dust suppressor products, and enhancing management processes. Emissions and air quality monitoring equipment ensures a prompt response to any deviations.
Types of emission sources
• Fixed: stationary sources that are readily identifiable and controllable, such as stacks and production facilities.
• Mobile: mobile sources such as vehicles and vessels with internal combustion engines.
• Point: localized sources such as industrial exhaust systems.
• Area: area emissions are emissions from dispersed sources that are not readily identifiable, such as the evaporation of chemical solvents.
• Mobile: mobile sources such as vehicles and vessels with internal combustion engines.
• Point: localized sources such as industrial exhaust systems.
• Area: area emissions are emissions from dispersed sources that are not readily identifiable, such as the evaporation of chemical solvents.
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In compliance with environmental license covenants, we also maintain and operate air quality monitoring networks in some of our operations and neighboring communities. Data from these systems inform the implementation of control systems, monitoring plans and emissions management.
At Vale we calculate our emissions using four different methods:
• Continuous monitoring: near-real-time quantitative and qualitative monitoring of gas emissions using devices installed along the sides of stacks.
• Intermittent monitoring: also referred to as isokinetic sampling, this method involves extracting and testing samples of stack gas in a lab.
• Emission factors and sulfur content in fuel: emissions are calculated based on equipment characteristics and fuel content as specified in technical references and scientific literature.
• Mass balance: this method quantifies the input, output, accumulation, generation, or destruction of an analyte to determine how much of that substance is emitted into the environment.
At Vale we calculate our emissions using four different methods:
• Continuous monitoring: near-real-time quantitative and qualitative monitoring of gas emissions using devices installed along the sides of stacks.
• Intermittent monitoring: also referred to as isokinetic sampling, this method involves extracting and testing samples of stack gas in a lab.
• Emission factors and sulfur content in fuel: emissions are calculated based on equipment characteristics and fuel content as specified in technical references and scientific literature.
• Mass balance: this method quantifies the input, output, accumulation, generation, or destruction of an analyte to determine how much of that substance is emitted into the environment.
Emissions reduction initiatives
Learn below about some of our projects to reduce air emissions in our operations.
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Dust suppression resin
In collaboration with the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vale has developed and patented a biodegradable dust suppressing resin produced by chemically recycling polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. The product has sealing properties that help to preserve moisture in stockpiles, railway wagon cargo, and unpaved roadsurfaces.
The new solution has been deployed at our Tubarão site (ES) and in mines like Itabira and Mariana, significantly reducing particulate emissions and ultimately enhancing air quality in neighboring communities. Increased recycling of plastics provides an added benefit from the technology.
The new solution has been deployed at our Tubarão site (ES) and in mines like Itabira and Mariana, significantly reducing particulate emissions and ultimately enhancing air quality in neighboring communities. Increased recycling of plastics provides an added benefit from the technology.
Tubarão Environmental Master Plan (EMP)
In 2018, Vale entered into an Environmental Commitment Agreement (ECA) with the Federal Prosecution Service, the State Prosecution Service, and state environmental agencies to reduce particulate emissions at our Tubarão site in Vitória, Espírito Santo. The primary aim of the agreement is to ensure greater transparency around the measures outlined in the site’s Environmental Master Plan.
Key completed and ongoing projects and interventions at Tubarão include:
Misting systems: Equipment designed to reduce dust emissions in pellet stockpile yards.
Area enclosures: Galvanized structures designed to enclose product handling areas, preventing dust dispersion.
New wind fences: Wind fences act as large barriers, reducing wind speed over stockpile yards and minimizing dust dispersion.
Dust suppressors: Products applied to ore, coal, and pellet stockpiles to create a protective layer that prevents dust from becoming airborne.
Key completed and ongoing projects and interventions at Tubarão include:
Misting systems: Equipment designed to reduce dust emissions in pellet stockpile yards.
Area enclosures: Galvanized structures designed to enclose product handling areas, preventing dust dispersion.
New wind fences: Wind fences act as large barriers, reducing wind speed over stockpile yards and minimizing dust dispersion.
Dust suppressors: Products applied to ore, coal, and pellet stockpiles to create a protective layer that prevents dust from becoming airborne.
Vale's Archive
Vale's Archive
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