Vale S A : informs on the Area IX dam

1/13/2022

Vale informs on the Area IX dam

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​​ Based on a proactive and precautionary approach by its tailings and dams management system, Vale informs that it has temporarily upgraded to level 2 the emergency protocol of the Área IX dam, located at the Fábrica mine, in the municipality of Ouro Preto, MG. This measure became necessary after piezometric changes in the structure's right abutment, associated with the heavy rains that hit the region, a situation that demands studies and corrective actions, already initiated by the company. The Area IX dam is inactive and is included in Vale's Upstream Dam Decharacterization Program. Its current volume is about 640 thousand cubic meters. The structure had been under a level 1 emergency protocol since June 2020, which was started on a preventive basis, with studies to detail its characteristics and safety conditions. Vale informs that there is no permanent presence of people and no additional evacuation is necessary. The measure started today has no impact on the company's production. The structure's current condition was reported to the authorities and to the audit of the Public Prosecutors' Office of the State of Minas Gerais and continue to be monitored by Vale's specialized teams and by the respective Engineer of Record. Vale maintains the continuous management and monitoring of its dams and geotechnical structures. ​

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