Water and effluents
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The Importance of Water for Our Business
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Water use in mining
The water sources used in our mining operations include: underground, surface, and reuse.
The ore used to produce steel is found in rocks mixed with other elements
During ore processing, water is used for flotation, washing, and preparing reagents
Trucks transport the mined ore from the mine to the beneficiation plants
An aqueous solution of polymers is sprayed for dust control. For less critical uses, like washing parts and spraying roads and piles, recycled water is preferably used
Stackers store the ore in piles, and reclaimers guide it onto conveyor belts
Before transporting ore, railcars are sealed with an aqueous polymer solution to prevent the material from becoming airborne
The ore is conveyed to hoppers and into railcars bound for the port. At the port, ore is unloaded and stockpiled in storage yards. In the yard, ores are stored and/or transported to the ships through reclaimers and conveyor belts.
65%
82%
of the total demand volum are reused.
11.000
1.700
Our industry produces natural resources that help drive economic and social development, with water being an essential resource across all phases of our mine developments, from conceptual design to post-closure.
Water Balance
In 2022, we reused 507 million cubic meters (m³) of water, harvested 4.7 million m³ of rainwater, and used 1.7 million m³ of desalinated water.
Photo: Ricardo Teles. Salobo Dam (Vale Brazil): tailings dams are the main water recipients in mining operations.
Total water withdrawal (in millions of m³) in 2022
Approximately 28% of our water withdrawals are supplied to communities via the local public utilities, which treat and then distribute high-quality, safe water. Unused water is returned directly to the environment.
Our approach
Photo: Marcelo Coelho. A thickener in Sohar (Vale Oman). Thickeners are used for solid-liquid separation in mineral processing, with the separated water returning to the process.
- Water and Water Resource Policy
- Water Resource and Effluent Management Standard
- RACI Matrix, based on our VPS maturity model
- Dedicated employees in all operations
Explanatory note
A corporate policy that sets out Vale’s stance and the principles guiding our actions.
Explanatory note
A technical standard providing guidelines on water resource and effluent management at Vale.
Explanatory note
A tool outlining four key process responsibilities: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed (RACI).
Explanatory note
Vale Production System.
- Quantitative targets for water-stressed areas
- Reduction plans for each operational site
- Hydrometric monitoring in host watersheds
- Qualitative and quantitative water monitoring and data management systems
- Engagement with the supply chain
- Membership of watershed committees
- Support for access to basic sanitation in communities within our area of influence
- Participation in forums, conferences, and thought leadership publications
- Protection of water sources and support for biodiversity ambitions
- Water risks are mapped, monitored and managed, including physical, regulatory, reputational, climate-change and supply-chain impacts
- Water risks are also embedded in our business strategy
1 - Water & Wastewater Governance
Vale’s Water Resource Policy establishes a set of principles and commitments to drive a sustainable and responsible management throughout the value chain.
Vale's Archive
Guiding principles on water stewardship
2 - Water monitoring and quality control
We work to optimize water usage and discharge, implement water recycling projects, and develop efficient water and effluent treatment and control systems in our operations. We also explore alternative sources where viable, enhancing the availability and quality of water resources in the watersheds where we operate.
Vale's Archive
Water monitoring by the numbers (2022)
+2,600
+400,000
+139
+507
+113
+146
3 - Engaging with stakeholders in our host watersheds
Vale's Archive
In 2022, we developed a social and environmental criticality matrix for our supply chain, segmenting our suppliers into different procurement categories. In addition, we are currently developing a Water Resource and Effluent Engagement Plan that we plan to implement by 2030.
4 - Water risk management
Our risk management approach employs well-established tools such as Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis (HIRA), Critical Control Verification (CCV), Integrated Line-of-Defense Checks, and Environmental Aspect and Impact Assessments (EAIA).
Arquivo Vale
Accountability
In terms of water stewardship, in addition to monthly monitoring by the Minas Gerais Institute for Water Management (IGAM), we actively monitor water quality in the Paraopeba River and its tributaries as part of commitments undertaken to the relevant public authorities. The entire process is audited by independent auditors appointed by the Public Prosecution Service of Minas Gerais (MPMG). Monitoring data are regularly submitted to regulatory authorities and the MPMG.
Water analyses have shown progressive improvement in water quality, with analysis results similar to or better than dry-season baseline figures before the dam breach.
We also take this opportunity to address the allegations of environmental contamination in the Cateté River resulting from our Onça Puma project. These claims have been proven unfounded, as demonstrated in reports prepared by experts appointed by the Federal Civil Court (VCF-Redenção). Vale does not engage in mineral exploration or mining activities of any kind in indigenous lands in Brazil. We strictly comply with existing legislation and are committed to seeking Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in our interactions with indigenous communities (read more in Controversies).
Vale has been operating in the Amazon for nearly 40 years and has helped to protect approximately 800,000 hectares of forests in the Carajás Mosaic, an area equivalent to five times the size of São Paulo City. This is the largest continuous expense of forests in the southern and southeastern regions of Pará, and is managed in partnership with the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio). The conservation of these forest areas supports biodiversity preservation, protection of water bodies, and carbon storage.
Commitments and targets
Achieving and surpassing our 2018 target ahead of time required a significant effort and has yielded important improvements in our internal water governance processes.
Vale´s Archive
Going beyond
We have adopted UN Indicator 6.4.2, based on a study conducted in 2022, in determining water stress levels in the regions where we operate. We have analyzed all sub-basins where we operate to inform region-specific initiatives.
Vale Archive
Water stress is measured based on the following variables:
Quantity
Quality
Accessibility
Ecological flows
Water stress levels in our host watersheds
- No stress (<25%)
- Low (25 to 75%)
- Medium (50 to 75%)
- High (75 to 100%)
- Critical (>100%)
Learn more
Vale's Archive