Vale concluded the decommissioning works of the Fernandinho dam at Pumpkins Mine in the Vargem Grande Complex located in the Nova Lima region. Fernandinho lost its function of tailings and water storage.
Vale also completed the construction of the downstream containment structure that serves the Forquilhas I, II, III, IV, and Grupo Dams located between the municipalities of Itabirito and Ouro Preto (MG), near the Fábrica Mine.
558 thousand cubic meters of tailings were removed, a central drainage channel was built, and revegetation. Vale met its environmental and legal obligations to improve the safety of its dams in the communities.
The containment structure downstream of the Mine Factory has the capability to preserve the tailings of the Forks I, II, III, IV, and Group dams, located upstream of the Mine Factory should a rupture occur. Structures along the supply chain have a continuous instrumental monitoring system. The various Fork dams can now be prepared for decommissioning.
In the past three years, 6 structures have been decommissioned systematically and reintegrated into the local ecosystem via Vale’s Decharacterization Program.