Monthly Repair Report - Vale.com
Transcript of Monthly Repair Report - Vale.com
Monthly RepairReport
DECEMBER 2019
COVER: River Water Treatment Plant (ETAF) installed to clean the Ferro-Carvão stream and bring treated water to the Paraopeba.
The Monthly Repair Report describes Vale's measures
to minimize the impact caused by the B1 dam breach.
In its third edition, the publication highlights the
recovery of the Paraopeba river and the measures to
treat and ensure water supply in the affected areas.
It also describes the social and emergency recovery
works and the progress of the de-characterization of
upstream dams.
We know there's much yet to be done. We're going to
keep doing it and reporting our actions to society.
The data presented in this report refer to January to 30 November 2019.
Vale owes an eternal apology to society for the lost lives and the impacts caused by the B1 dam breach in Brumadinho. We are making our best efforts to carry out social, environmental and infrastructure repair in the affected communities. It is a long process that requires dialogue and strict collaboration with various stakeholders, with people at the core of our decisions. We are aware that many demands have not yet been met and that there are people and families struggling to regain control of their lives. We are aware and wary of these situations, and we are striving to apply all human, technological and material resources to ensure our repair actions are aligned with the expectations of those affected and
perceived as fair and appropriate.
Marcelo Klein, Special Recovery and Development director
This was the most difficult year
in Vale's history and will never
be forgotten. We move forward seeking the transformation of the company, based on people, safety and repair. We continue supporting the relevant authorities in the investigation of the causes of the incident. with ethics and transparency.We have also invested in prevention measures and safeguards to ensure this will never happen again. One example is the de-characterization ofour upstream dams. In December, we delivered Vale’s first fully de-characterized structure, the 8B dam, located in Nova Lima (Minas Gerais). The same process is already underway in other upstream structures.
Eduardo BartolomeoCEO
Environment
• Three billion liters of water treated and returned clean to the Paraopeba river
• More than four million analyses of water, soil and tailings along the Paraopeba river channel;
• 22 artesian wells installed in cities supplied by the Paraopeba river basin, ensuring the supply of drinking water to communities
Vale remains committed to expedite the environmental recovery of the Paraopeba watershed and its surroundings. Environmental recovery is divided into four fronts:
The company maintains 90 water quality monitoring points between the Paraopeba river and the São Francisco river mouth, including the main tributaries of the Paraopeba watershed. Turbidity analyses are carried out 24/7 in ten points of the river by means of automatic probes.
The entire volume of tailings from the dam breach was classified by independent laboratories as inert and non-hazardous.
Containment of tailings, preventing it from flowing into the river in rainy seasons
Removal of tailings on land and inside the river, relocating the material in safe and controlled areas
Monitoring and recovery of soil and water quality
Preservation of local flora and fauna
Recovery of the Paraopeba River
Vale has established a tailings treatment and environmental recovery plan consisting of sediment containment works, river dredging and the construction of two water treatment plants, which are already in operation. This plan seeks to ensure the health of the river.
Overview of the dredging of the Paraopeba river. Photo: Vale
Analyzes carried out by Vale and the Water Management Institute of Minas Gerais (IGAM, Instituto Mineiro de Gestão das Águas) show that the sediment plume has not reached the São Francisco river and attest that the Paraopeba river can be recovered.
CONTAINMENT OF TAILINGS
The company has built three large
containment structures, two
hydraulic barriers and one dike, in addition
to another 25 river channel stabilization barriers to retain the
flow of sediments. A curtain was also
installed to contain the tailings and enable
the cleaning of the area concentrating
the largest volume of sediments. The flowing of solid materials into the Paraopeba river was interrupted in
May.
WATER TREATMENT
Vale has installed two Water Treatment Plants (ETAFs). So far, three billion liters
of water have been treated at the stations
and returned to the Paraopeba river.Vale also began
dredging tailings from the silted stretch of the river, a major initiative
for the recovery of water. This action
enables removing solid material and draining
the water to one of the treatment plants,
returning it clean to the Paraopeba river.
WATER QUALITY
To date, more than four million water, soil and sediment analyses have been carried out in more than 31,000
samples.This activity includes
analyzes of several parameters, such as the
presence of metals in water, pH, and turbidity.
The tests carried out during the dry season pointed to a reduced concentration of the analyzed elements, closer to the levels
allowed by law.
Monitoring of the Paraopeba river will be audited and undertaken by Igam
Vale signed an Agreement (TC) with the Prosecution Office of Minas Gerais (MPMG) transferring all activities related to monitoring of water resources and sediment along the Paraopeba river basin and the São Francisco river to Instituto Mineiro de Gestão de Águas (Igam).
In addition, Vale will bear the costs incurred with the hiring of an independent technical audit that be responsible for overseeing the transfer process, scheduled to last 26 months. Until then, the audit will be responsible for overseeing the monitoring activities carried out by the company.
All other costs related to the Agreement shall be borne by Vale. After this period, Vale will continue to pay for monitoring activities for ten years.
Learn about the work carried out at ETAF
The River Water Treatment Plant (ETAF) is regularly visited by the community, schools of Brumadinho, public authorities, and other institutions. Visitors learn about the Plant’s operations and how the water treatment contributes to the environmental recovery of the Paraopeba river.
Those willing to learn about the unit should contact Vale's help centers in Brumadinho orcall the Service Center at 0800 031 0831.
River Water Treatment Plant (ETAF, Estação de Tratamento de Água Fluvial). Photo: Vale
Water Supply
In addition to the humanitarian actions underway, more than 500 million liters of water have been distributed for human and animal consumption and agricultural use. Vale supplies to rural properties and residences that used water withdrawn directly from the Paraopeba river or groundwater (wells and cisterns located within 100 meters from the Paraopeba river bank).
Water truck delivering water. Photo: Vale
Pillars of action: • Water for animal consumption and irrigation: supply for rural producers who depend on water withdrawn from the Paraopeba river or for users of wells and cisterns located within 100 meters from the river.
• Water for domestic use and consumption: supply for residents who depend on water withdrawn from the Paraopeba river for domestic use and consumption or for users of wells and cisterns located within 100 meters from the river.
• Hydraulic installations and reservoir supply: supply of reservoirs and hydraulic installations for requesters that are unable to store drinking water.
The water supplied by Vale comes from Copasa fountains in Juatuba, Pompéu and Três Marias. Copasa monitors the quality of this water and discloses the results on its website.
Final solutions
Besides water supply, Vale is drilling artesian wells and conducting feasibility studies on the installation of filters. So far, 22 artesian wells have been installed in the cities supplied by the Paraopeba watershed, ensuring supply of drinking water to communities. These wells are complementary to the daily distribution of water carried out by approximately 100 water trucks.
Who is eligible to receive the water supplied by Vale?
• Everyone who used water withdrawn directly from the Paraopeba river;• Everyone who had wells or cisterns within 100 meters from the Paraopeba river bank.
Who is not eligible to receive the water supplied by Vale?
• Properties that did not use water withdrawn from the Paraopeba river; • Properties using water withdrawn methods alternative to the Paraopeba river;• Properties with access to piped water supplied by the water utility company (e.g. Copasa); • Properties using water from artesian wells cisterns located more than 100 meters from the Paraopeba river. Please, note: According to guidelines of Instituto Mineiro de Gestão de Águas (Igam), there is no restriction on the withdrawal of groundwater for those located more than 100 meters from the Paraopeba river bank.
Distribution of mineral water. Photo: Vale
Fauna assistance. Photo: Vale
Fauna
Vale maintains fauna assistance structures in Brumadinho with teams dedicated to rescuing, caring for and sheltering domestic and wild animals affected by the dam breach. More than 200 professionals from different areas work in these sites, including veterinarians, biologists, zootechnicians, among other environment-related areas.
865 animals have been treated at the Fauna Shelter Farm since the beginning of operations. Today, 524 animals are sheltered and 340 have already been permanently adopted, given back to their owners, reallocated to nature, transferred or allocated in a temporary home.
Flora
Reforestation and environmental reintegration in the affected area will begin as soon as the set of tailings removal and containment works reach a more advanced stage. Vale is expected to plant five million seedlings by 2024 to reestablish the native vegetation across the affected area. Part of these seedlings are cultivated simultaneously in the Vale Reserve, in Espírito Santo, in partnership with regional nurseries of the Cerrado biome.
Seedling nursery of the Vale Natural Reserve, in Linhares (Espírito Santo). Photo: Vale
Vale maintains 60 hives for the preservation of native bees that will help in the reforestation of the Brumadinho region.
Vale also monitors and protects the reproduction of fish in the Paraopeba river.
Collection of fish eggs in the Paraopeba river. Photo: Vale
Social
The Family Reference Program was created to ensure assistance to people and families directly affected by the dam breach. Currently, 596 families are being monitored.
Vale acted quickly to address the financial insecurity of affected families. Learn about the donations and indemnities provided:
Donations
Vale donated R$ 100,000.00 for 276 families of victims of the breach, R$ 50,000.00 for 100 families living in the so-called Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) on the date of the breach and R$ 15,000.00 for 91 rural producers and merchants carrying out productive activities in the ZAS.
Emergency Aid
More than 106,000 people are receiving emergency aid on a monthly basis. The aid also covers 150 indigenous people from 46 family nuclei of the Pataxó indigenous community living by the Paraopeba river banks.
Individual or FamilyIndemnities
In April, Vale set up offices exclusively for residents to negotiate compensation for material and moral damages voluntarily. By November 29, 723 individual agreements were signed, covering 2,300 people.
Labor Indemnities
516 labor agreements were signed by November 29, covering 1,539 people.
Temporary Housing
In addition to medical and psychological and social assistance, the affected residents were relocated to temporary housing paid by Vale. Currently, 100 families are living in these residences.
Medical and Psychological and Social Assistance
One of Vale's biggest concerns is the emotional health of workers, family members and the population of Brumadinho. Therefore, the company signed a cooperation agreement with the city government transferring R$ 32 million exclusively for the expansion of health and psychological and social care in the municipality. By the beginning of November, Vale’s medical care and psychological and social support services had addressed more than 18,000 cases.
Donations and Allocations to the Government
In recognition of the work carried out by the safety agencies of Minas Gerais in Brumadinho, Vale allocated R$70 million for equipment purchase, structural improvement, and professional training of the corporations. The amount covers the Military Police, the Fire Department, the Civil Police and the Civil Defense of Minas Gerais.
Vale also decided to allocate R$ 80 million in two years to the city of Brumadinho as financial aid due to the shutdown of the company's activities in the city. In addition, the company transferred R$ 200 million to ten other mining municipalities in Minas Gerais that had their revenues hampered by the shutdown of the company's activities.
Signing of agreement with the city of São Joaquim de Bicas. Photo: Vale
From Support to Development
Support
Vale set off to support the population of Brumadinho and region right after the breach. The first step was to open physical units in the maincommunities, with specialized teams providingsupport and care to those affected. So far, more than 50,000 demands have been registered. Of these,96% have already been addressed and 3% are regular assistance cases.
Aurora Help Center. Photo: Vale
Monitoring
The Family Reference Program was created to ensure assistance to people and families directly affected by the breach. Specialized professionals monitor the families and their demands on a systematic and ongoing basis. Currently, 596 families are being monitored. More than 15,000 cases have been addressed since January.
Dialogue
To build and consolidate the relationship with the residents of the affected territories, Vale has a team of professionals acting locally to maintain dialogue and enable the development of agreements for repair. Regular meetings are held with leaders and residents.
Family Reference Group meeting. Photo: Vale
Contributing to development
More than supporting, Vale is investing in the development of affected municipalities.
The Full Assistance Program for Affected People helps those who received the individual indemnities plan for the future, offering support and guidance on planning and financial education, purchase of real estate, resumption of agricultural activities, among others.
A partnership between Vale with the City Governments of Mário Campos and Brumadinho and Associação Mineira de Supermercados (Amis) enabled the participation of 16 local producers at the Superminas Trade Fair in Belo Horizonte. This was the first step in our joint efforts to empower small producers in the region.
Booth of the Brumadinho and Mário Campos producers at the Superminas trade fair. Photo: Vale
The Health Cycle Program in progress in Brumadinho, Sarzedo and Mário Campos is aimed at strengthening the cities’ Primary Care network. The program comprises training the teams of basic health care units, training young people on health issues, in addition to consulting for the city government to improve Primary Care management, among other activities.
Vale is carrying out activities in partnership with social institutions to promote culture and foster local vocations. The aim is to help the population resume normal life and recover their self-esteem, and strengthen the collective and productive potential of the communities. One example of supported activities are the professional training courses conducted by Instituto Yara Tupynambá, specializing in gardening and construction in Córrego do Feijão and Parque da Cachoeira.
Inaugural class in Parque da Cachoeira. Photo: Vale
Social reparation in numbers • 100 families in temporary housing paid by Vale
• 18,000 medical and psychological and social cases addressed
• 150 indigenous people assisted permanently
• More than 1,500 indemnities covering approximately 3,900 people
• R$ 382 million allocated to public authorities
Emergency Works
Vale has completed the emergency construction works for implementation of tailings containmentstructures ,
Tailings containment and water treatment structures
The emergency works for implementation of tailings containment structures have been completed. The result achieved is positive, as the structures successfully reduced the flow of sediments into the Paraopeba river during the first heavy rains of the second half of 2019 (October and November).
All structures were implemented according to schedule and the teams continue to focus on finalizing the drainage channels and on the environmental recovery of the areas. The tailings containment measures are integrated with dredging and water treatment initiatives and, together, they contribute to the environmental recovery of the Ferro-Carvão river and the Paraopeba river.
and continues to act on several emergency construction works fronts for environmental recovery and containment and removal of tailings.
Containment
Construction work Status
River channel stabilization barrier Completed
Hydraulic Filtration Barrier BH0 Completed
Dike 2 Completed
Hydraulic Barrier BH1 Completed
Sheet Piles (Alberto Flores) Completed
Water Treatment
Construction work Status
River Water Treatment Plant (Alberto Flores) Completed
Removal of antlers and materials from the Paraopeba river IN progress
Dredging of the Paraopeba river IN progress
River Water Treatment Plant (Lajinha) Completed
Tailings containment and water treatment structures
The water that poured in the sheet pile barrier during the wet season in the region of Alberto Flores had turbidity levels within the limit established by the National Council for the Environment (Conama), which is up to 100 NTUs (Nephelometric Turbidity Units – measure of turbidity level).
Water pouring in the sheet pile barrier. Photo: Vale
The second River Water Treatment Plant installed by Vale in Brumadinho is already operating, and is integrated with the dredging of the Paraopeba river. The material removed during dredging is stored and dehydrated in large geotextile bags. Then, the water drained in these bags is pumped into the Station – which has the capacity to treat 2.25 million liters per hour – and returns clean, within legal standards, to the Paraopeba river.
River Water Treatment Plant. Photo: Vale
Amount invested in emergency works: R$ 359 million
Workforce: 2,750 people, 50% of which are residents of
Brumadinho
Hydraulic Barrier 1 Implementation WorksPhoto: Vale.
Road maintenance: 430 km
Volume of aggregates used in containment structures: 220,000 m3
Public infrastructure and equipment
Vale signed an agreement with the City Government of Brumadinho for the construction of public equipment and improvements in urban infrastructure in the communities of Tejuco, Córrego do Feijão, Parque da Cachoeira, Pires, Cohab, Carmo and Palhano. The commitments undertaken include the construction of day care centers, a soccer field, a health care unit, asphalt paving, public lighting, sewage and a drinking water pipeline system.
The municipality of Mário Campos will also receive a new day care center and a health care unit. The projects and schedules of the works were presented to the communities and the implementation works have already begun.
Pedestrian walkway on Avenida Alberto FloresPhoto: Vale
Municipal Daycare Project. Photo: Vale
At the end of September, Vale delivered the pedestrian walkway of the new Alberto Flores Avenue bridge in Brumadinho. Built in metal and equipped with a solar energy system, the walkway offers more safety to pedestrians. This delivery represents the completion of works on the bridge, which reopened the access of several communities to the central area of the city.
Water pipeline construction work in Córrego do Feijão. Photo: Vale
Asphalt paving works in progress in Tejuco. Photo: Vale Family Health Center Project. Photo: Vale
Safety and Prevention
De-characterization of Upstream Dams
Vale is striving to eliminate the risks of all its upstream dams through works that cause the structure to lose its dams characteristics or cease operating as a dam. In November, Vale completed the de-characterization of the dam 8B, located at the Águas Claras Mine in Nova Lima –the first of the nine upstream dams announced on January 29.
The 8B dam was used to contain sediments. The works carried out this year removed the upstream structure and its ability to operate as a dam. The entire area occupied by 8B has already been revegetated with species from the region to ensure reintegration into the environment.
Dam 8B before and after the de-characterization process. Photos: Vale
What was done at dam 8B?
• Removal of all surface water of the reservoir through pumping;
• Removal of the upstream
raising structure;
• Construction of a central rock channel
to allow the
natural outflow of surface water;
• Revegetation: planting of 1,100 seedlings native to Mata do Jambreiro and application of a vegetation blanket across 12,000 m².
Ongoing actions in the other dams
Before starting the de-characterization of the other dams as announced in January, Vale is working to increase the factor of safety in these structures by lowering the level of water through pumping, drilling wells (to avoid groundwater contributions), and building channels to divert rainwater.
Containment works at the B3/B4 dam in Nova Lima. Photo: Vale
Dams announced for de-characterization on January 29, 2019:
8B (Nova Lima) Delivered √
Sul Superior (Barão de Cocais)
Vargem Grande (Nova Lima)
B3/B4 (Nova Lima)
Grupo (Ouro Preto)
Forquilha I (Ouro Preto)
Forquilha II (Ouro Preto)
Forquilha III (Ouro Preto)
Fernandinho (Nova Lima)
Containment structures
Three containment structures (concrete or rock) are also being constructed downstream of B3/B4, Sul Superior and Forquilhas 1 and 3. These dams are at emergency level 3. Communities living in ZAS have already been relocated outside the risk area. These containments are designed to retain the material from these dams in the event of a breach and, thus, reduce impacts on people and the environment.
These containment structures will be removed as soon as risks are completely eliminated. That is, at the end of the de-characterization process, when the structures will no longer be characterized as a dam.
Containment of the Sul Superior dam on November 19: works are expected to complete by December. Photo: Vale
Community Help Centers (PA, Posto de Atendimento)
BRUMADINHO:
• Central PA: Aurora Tênis Clube, Rua Presidente Vargas, 1.490
• PA Parque da Cachoeira: Rua Francisco Jorge Diniz, 143
BARÃO DE COCAIS
Av. Wilson Alvarenga, 535
NOVA LIMA (MACACOS)
Praça 25 de Março, 1.010.
Offices - Indemnities
BRUMADINHO:
Public Defender’s Office
Rua Oligisto, 197, bairro Ipiranga.Service hours: 10:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00,
MONDAY toFriday.
Vale’s Office
Rua Turquesa, 103, bairro PlanaltoService hours: 9:00 to 18:00,
VALE HELPLINE NUMBERS:
Monday to Friday.
NOVA LIMA (MACACOS)
Vale’s Office
Rua São Luiz, 181 Service hours: 9:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday.
BARÃO DE COCAIS
Vale’s Office
Rua José de Paula, 104/2º andar, Vila Regina Service hours: 9:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday.
BELO HORIZONTE
Vale’s Office
Rua Pernambuco, 1077/4º andar, Savassi.Service hours: 9:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday.
Those interested shall be accompanied by the Public Defender’s Office representatives or attorneys.
Official Communication Channels Use these channels to clarify doubts and stay informed about Vale’s repair initiatives:
www.vale.com
facebook.com/valenobrasil
linkedin.com/company/vale
instagram.com/valenobrasil/
youtube.com/vale
Helpline number: 0800 031 0831 Hello Indemnities: 0800 888 1182www.vale.com/barao-de-cocais