...Vale S.A. ("Vale") hereby thanks the BHRRC for sending the article Environmental justice and corporate social irresponsibility: the case of the mining company Vale S.A", published in Revista Ambiente & Sociedade, published in November 2021. The article was not of Vale’s knowledge and we would like to provide initial clarifications on the information contained therein.

Vale is committed to responding to 100% of the allegations and controversies received, especially through the Business Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC).

In this case, however, we requested a longer period than the two weeks that were arbitrated by the BHRRC to analyze the article, since it addresses 30 cases from different countries. Vale adopts an internal protocol for the handling of allegations. The company collects facts and data, performs due diligence, develops action plans, if necessary, and presents the company's response, following the internal governance process. Thus, Vale commits to sending full comments and clarifications in relation to the points highlighted in the article by the end of February 2022.

We reiterate that Vale adopts the UN Human Rights Guiding Principles and the Global Compact, always committed to respecting Human Rights, not to generate harm to people and the environment, and to remediate the impacts it may cause or to which our activities may contribute. We are also committed to generating shared value and to contributing to the territorial development of the regions where we operate, based on the Sustainable Development Goals. And we do so always through the engagement with the affected parties and partners, who always participate in the development and implementation of remediation actions or support for sustainable development...