Materiality assessment
Vale addresses impact management and accountability in its Annual Report based on a set of material topics for its activities. These topics make up our materiality, through a process of assessing and prioritizing the impacts of our operations, both internally and externally, on society and the environment, as well as identifying the risks and opportunities associated with our business model.
Since 2007, Vale has periodically reviewed its material topics, continuously enhancing its stakeholder engagement process, the assessment of impact significance, and the integration of trends and future outlooks.
Click the buttons below to navigate the page:
Vale’s materiality
(GRI 2-12, 2-14, 2-25, 3-1, 3-2)
Conducted annually by Vale, the review of material topics is essential to enhance transparency and the quality of the Company’s accountability efforts, such as in the Annual Report. This process contributes to a better understanding of market trends and challenges, as well as stakeholder expectations regarding the Company. Furthermore, it ensures alignment with best practices in sustainability reporting.
The 2025 materiality review cycle was organized into two main areas: a document review and stakeholder engagement. These inputs were consolidated and prioritized during the final assessment of material topics for the presentation of results. A detailed breakdown of these steps is presented below.
Photo: Vale's Archive
Step-by-step process
This stage encompassed the assessment of sustainability reporting standards applicable to Vale, sector studies and the reports of eight market peers. There were two primary objectives:
- Consolidate the list of topics and their respective Impacts, Risks and Opportunities (IROs) for the stakeholder engagement stage;
- Score the topics and their respective IROs during the consolidation and prioritization stage.
Sustainability reporting standards - We reviewed the GRI 14: Mining Sector 2024 Standard and the SASB Metals & Mining Standard (December 2023 version). These standards identify topics considered relevant to our industry from both an impact perspective (25 topics identified by the GRI Standard as potentially material) and a risks and opportunities perspective (12 topics identified as material by the SASB Standard).
Sector studies - Four industry publications were selected for the document review. They provide comprehensive perspectives on trends and challenges affecting the global economy, particularly the mining and metals industry.
- The Global Risks Report 2025, published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF)
- Tracking the Trends 2025, the 17th edition of Deloitte’s study
- 2024 Global Metals and Mining Outlook, published by KPMG
- Top 10 Business Risks and Opportunities for Mining and Metals in 2025, published annually by EY
Market peers - We analyzed the sustainability reports of eight companies in the sector to identify the impacts, risks and opportunities considered material in those documents. The companies consulted were Anglo American, BHP, CSN Mineração, Fortescue, Freeport-McMoRan, Glencore, Rio Tinto and Teck.
Internal and institutional documents - These include Vale’s public disclosures and internal reports from ongoing stakeholder engagement and consultation channels, such as the Stakeholders, Demands and Issues (SDI) System, the RepRisk controversy monitoring tool and the ESG rating questionnaires in which Vale participates.
At this stage of the process, representatives of Vale’s various stakeholder groups were consulted through an online survey, including employees, community members, suppliers, investors, customers, nongovernmental organizations and government agencies.
The survey covered 15 ESG topics and was designed using a modular approach, allowing respondents to select the topics they were interested in contributing to. After selecting a given topic, participants were asked to assess the impacts, risks and opportunities associated with that topic on a scale from 1 to 5.
By the end of the consultation period, we had received 950 survey responses, of which 389 were considered valid (responses in which the participant fully assessed at least one topic).
On average, each topic received 153 responses. The environmental, human rights, and diversity, equity and inclusion topics generated the most responses.
The qualitative engagement phase aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the expectations and perspectives of executives, Board members and external experts through one-on-one engagement sessions. A total of 23 sessions were held, including 10 with executives and Board members and 13 with external experts. The external experts included representatives of Brazilian and international organizations and institutions, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), the Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM), the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS) and the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC), as well as Vale’s partners and suppliers.
The findings from the document review and the qualitative and quantitative engagement processes were consolidated into a materiality matrix. The topics covered in the assessment were scored across three axes and grouped during a series of critical review sessions:
X-axis - Impact materiality: Represents the significance of Vale’s impacts on the economy, the environment and people. It comprises the impact scores assigned by stakeholders in the quantitative engagement process and by the technical team, the perspectives of executives and experts engaged through the qualitative process, the evidence identified in the document review, and the potentially material topics listed in the GRI 14: Mining Sector 2024 Standard.
Y-axis: materiality to the Company: Represents the significance of sustainability-related risks and opportunities to Vale. It comprises the risk and opportunity scores assigned by stakeholders in the quantitative engagement process and by the technical team, the perspectives of executives and experts engaged through the qualitative process, the evidence identified in the document review, and the topics listed in the SASB Metals & Mining Standard (December 2023 version)..
Z-axis: influence on stakeholders: Represents the level of interest and concern among Vale’s stakeholders. It comprises the level of interest expressed in the quantitative questionnaire (number of responses per topic) and the average scores for impacts, risks and opportunities recorded in the questionnaire.
Vale’s 2025 materiality matrix includes 11 topics, nine of which are material. The results show only minor changes compared to the previous cycle. The most significant changes relate to the regrouping of topics and the revision of terminology, reflecting the present context and connections between the issues covered.
The topic “Safe operations and dams” encompasses the safety of people, operations and surrounding areas. The topic “Communities and regions,” in turn, incorporates issues related to Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities, the social impacts associated with mine closure and future land use, and the effects of pollution on local communities. A new topic—”Circular mining”—was identified and named, encompassing the maximization of tailings and waste rock use, the commercialization of coproducts and the development of new applications for mineral waste.
The consolidated results considered the impact materiality perspective and incorporated, on a preliminary basis, a view of the risks and opportunities associated with the material topics.
Vale’s 2025 materiality matrix
(GRI 2-12, 2-14, 2-25, 3-1, 3-2)
Governance and assurance
It is worth noting that the materiality assessment process is subject to limited assurance by PwC in connection with Vale’s Annual Report. This is described in the Limited Assurance Report, which states that the content included within the scope of the assurance engagement is presented in the Basis of Preparation for the 2025 Annual Report.
In addition, Vale’s Board of Directors is responsible for establishing the guidelines for preparing the Annual Report in line with market best practices. The report, together with the results of the materiality assessment, is reviewed by members of the Company’s senior leadership.
The Board of Directors acknowledges its responsibility for ensuring the integrity of the Annual Report and, with support from the Sustainability Committee, establishes the guidelines for preparing and presenting the report. During this reporting cycle, the Sustainability Committee also participated in the interviews conducted as part of the materiality review.
Details of each material topic
Explore Vale’s material topics and learn how the Company addresses the mining industry’s most significant social and environmental challenges.
Prioritized GRI Standard 14 Topics
- 14.6. Tailings
- 14.15. Process safety incident management
- 14.16. Occupational health and safety
Associated SASB Metals & Mining Standard topics
- Waste and hazardous materials management
- Workforce health and safety
- Management of tailings storage facilities
Communities and regions
In addition to relationship and dialogue practices, the topic covers the management of negative impacts and complaint mechanisms, effects on population resettlement and access to natural resources, direct and indirect economic impacts, and private social investment initiatives. The topic also incorporates sensitivity to these issues in relations with Indigenous Peoples, traditional communities, and other vulnerable groups.
Prioritized GRI Standard 14 topics
- 14.9. Economic impacts
- 14.10. Local communities
- 14.11. Rights of indigenous peoples
- 14.12. Rights to land and natural resources
- 14.13. Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM)
Related SASB Metals & Mining Standard topics
- Community relations Safety, human rights, and indigenous peoples’ rights
Climate change and decarbonization
Prioritized GRI Standard 14 topics
- 14.1. GHG emissions
- 14.2. Climate adaptation and resilience
Related SASB Metals & Mining Standard topics
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Energy management
Biodiversity and ecosystems
Prioritized GRI Standard 14 topics
- 14.4. Biodiversity
Related SASB Metals & Mining Standard topics
- Impacts on biodiversity
Prioritized GRI Standard 14 topics
- 14.3. Air emissions
- 14.7. Water and effluents
Related SASB Metals & Mining Standard topics
- Air quality
- Water management
Prioritized GRI Standard 14 Topics
- 14.14. Safety practices
- 14.18. Child labor
- 14.19. Forced labor and modern slavery
*There is no SASB Standard topic associated with this material topic.
Prioritized GRI Standard 14 topics
- 14.22. Anti-corruption
- 14.23. Payments to governments
- 14.24. Public policy
Associated SASB Metals & Mining Standard topics
- Business ethics and transparency
Prioritized GRI Standard 14 topics
- 14.17. Employment practices
- 14.20. Freedom of association and collective bargaining
- 14.21. Non-discrimination and equal opportunity
Related SASB Metals & Mining Standard topics
- Labor practices
Learn more
The 2025 ESG Databook sets out our management approach for each material topic, along with detailed information on each topic and how we engage with our stakeholders.
The 2025 Annual Report includes an index that maps each material topic to the relevant standards, frameworks, pillars, risks, opportunities, progress and challenges considered by Vale.
Anda mengakses pengalaman:
Anda mengakses pengalaman:
© Vale | Seluruh hak cipta.