Vale informs that a fire broke out at 5pm Noumea time at the Vale Nouvelle-Calédonie S.A.S. (VNC) site as protests continued at and around the company premises.

The fire was located at the mine and associated infrastructure; the fire brigade the Gendarmes (military forces) were on site in the evening. The plant, which is located 7km away, remains secure and under the protection of the Gendarmes.

Vale repudiates the acts of violence and reaffirms its commitment to the safety and protection of VNC's employees and community partners while unconditionally supporting efforts for a peaceful solution of the situation.