The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology

Vale informs on Brucutu's mining

(Posted on 18/09/19)

Vale has informed that it suspended works in one mining front of Brucutu mine, in the municipality of São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo, State of Minas Gerais. That action will not impact Brucutu mine's production.

The suspension follows a decision from Brazil's National Mining Agency, based on its understanding that one of the operating mining fronts exceeds the mineral reserve limit approved by the agency to the respective área. Vale understands that all the agency's requirements to operate the mining front were fullfilled and reported in the economic utilization plan submitted to the agency in 2017.

Vale will take the appropriate measures in this case and reaffirms its 2019 iron ore and pellets sales guidance of 307-332 million tons, as per previous announcement.

Vale also informed that the President of Supreme Federal Court (STF) decided to suspend the injunctions and to grant the return of Vale's nickel operations (mine and plant), Onça Puma, in Ourilândia do Norte (state of Pará).

With this decision, the operation, which had its mines paralyzed since September 2017, and its nickel processing plant since June this year, will resume its activities.

The STF also ordered the release of judicial deposits for the indigenous Xikrin do Cateté and Kayapo, which were blocked by a decision of Federal Regional Court (Tribunal Regional Federal da 1ª Região) in a legal proceeding imposed by Vale.