Vale also highlighted its respect for the communities surrounding the mine. Credit: Dmitry Kalinovsky via Shutterstock.com.

The operational licence (LO) of Vale’s Sossego mine in Brazil has been suspended by the Environmental and Sustainability office of Pará State.

The specific reasons behind the suspension were not disclosed.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Vale is currently assessing steps to restore the mine’s operational status.

The Brazilian miner has expressed its dedication to adhering to the socio-environmental standards and controls mandated by law.

In a statement, the company said: “Vale emphasises its commitment to complying with the socio-environmental conditions and controls required by legislation, as well as to showing respect for the neighbouring communities.”

The company also noted that it regularly submits reports to environmental agencies regarding all regional social programmes.  

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Last month, Vale reported its production figures for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023.

The miner produced 89.4 million tonnes (mt) of iron ore in Q4 2023, a 11% increase from the same quarter of 2022, and recorded its highest monthly iron ore output since 2018 in December.

Its copper production was 99,100 tonnes (t) in the reported quarter. The Sossego mine produced 66,800t of copper in 2023.

In terms of copper output, Sossego is Vale’s second-largest mine, stated Reuters.

In the same month, a federal judge in Brazil directed Vale, BHP and their Samarco joint venture to pay $9.7bn in damages for the tailings dam collapse in 2015 that killed 19 people and polluted the Rio Doce river. The incident, called the worst environmental disaster in Brazilian history, released 60 million cubic metres of iron ore waste and mud, leading to severe ecological damage.