Emergency Action Plan

About Mining Dam Emergency Action Plans

Mining Dam Emergency Action Plans (known in Brazil as PAE or PAEBM) are documents that define the immediate actions to be taken in the event of a mining dam emergency. Their purpose is to establish measures to minimize risks and environmental impacts on communities and cultural heritage.

All Vale’s dams in Brazil that meet the criteria established in the National Dam Safety Policy, as well as all dams covered by state dam safety policies, have a Mining Dam Emergency Action Plan.

These plans are prepared, developed, implemented and managed in accordance with legal requirements and the emergency guidelines issued by civil protection and emergency management authorities.

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Photo: Vinicius Lira

Content of plans

Structure of Mining Dam Emergency Action Plans

Section I – Overview of the plan and all technical elements required to comply with the requirements of the regulatory authorities identified in Brazil’s National Dam Safety Policy;
Section II – Civil protection and emergency management actions designed to meet the requirements of civil protection authorities;
Section III – Environmental protection and impact mitigation actions, such as wildlife rescue and water supply assessments, designed to meet the requirements of environmental authorities;
Section IV – Actions to preserve and safeguard cultural heritage;
Section V – Actions required to preserve and safeguard livestock (applicable only to dams in the state of Minas Gerais).

Mining Dam Emergency Action Plans contain the following elements:

Flood inundation map:

A map showing the areas that could potentially be affected in the event of a dam failure.
Delineation of the Self-Rescue Zones and Secondary Safety Zones .

Estimated flood wave arrival times for potentially affected locations and communities :

Location of assembly points and evacuation routes.
Precise location of assembly points outside the hazard area.
Description of evacuation routes, including the distance to each assembly point.

Location of sirens and warning systems:

Georeferenced locations of sirens.

Procedures in the event of siren activation

Clear, illustrated guidance for the public, including immediate evacuation, safe travel to assembly points and appropriate conduct in assembly areas .

Emergency notification and communication protocol

Notification hierarchy: responsible company → municipal and state civil protection authorities → fire department → communities.
Communication channels and designated personnel responsible.

Environmental, social and cultural impact mitigation measures

Measures to contain or reduce environmental impacts
Procedures to protect cultural heritage and protected areas

Measures to ensure drinking water supply

Alternative water sources
Emergency water distribution plan for affected communities

Community communication and support

Procedures for training, emergency drills and plan updates
Records and technical appendices

View our Mining Dam Emergency Action Plans

Minas Gerais

5 – Mac

5-Mutuca

7A and 7B

Alcindo Vieira, Borrachudo, Borrachudo II, Cemig I, Cemig II, Jirau, Piabas and Quinzinho

Elefante

Forquilhas I, II, III, IV,
Grupo and Dique de Pedra

Gambá

PDE Permanente II - Fase I

Pontal

Porteirinha and Monjolo

Principal

Rio do Peixe

Santana

Sul (Córrego do Canal)

Sul Superior and Sul Inferior

Pará

Base Metals

Dique de Finos I

About Self-Rescue Zones and Secondary Safety Zones

ZAS

Self-Rescue Zone

The stretch of the valley downstream of the dam where issuing emergency warnings to the population is the responsibility of the company, as there is insufficient time for the public authorities to intervene in an emergency. The limits of the Self-Rescue Zone are determined by the distance the flood wave travels in 30 minutes or 10 km, whichever is greater.

ZSS

Secondary Safety Zone

The area that may be affected by a dam failure but lies outside the Self-Rescue Zone (SRZ), allowing sufficient time for intervention by the public authorities. The Secondary Safety Zone is a concept used in Mining Dam Emergency Action Plans. It represents the area that may be reached by the flood wave in the event of a dam failure.

Events calendar

10/02 - Orientation Seminar - Sabará and Santa Luzia

Vale is preparing to announce and hold the Orientation Seminar in Sabará and Santa Luzia for the Galego structure of the Córrego do Meio mine, in compliance with the Mining Dam Emergency Action Plan (PAEBM) for the Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS).

The seminars will take place on October 2 at 7 p.m. and October 17 at 10 a.m. The following communities should participate as a priority: Condomínio Vale das Águas, the Federal Highway Police (PRF), the wastewater treatment plant (ETE) of the Mineral Development Center (CDM), the Bom Destino neighborhood (Rua das Goiabeiras, Rua das Jabuticabeiras, Rua das Mangueiras, and Rua das Braúnas), KM 13, and the Simão Cunha Industrial District.

In Santa Luzia, the seminar will be held at Escola Municipal Jaime Avelar Lima on October 2.
In Sabará, the seminar will be held at Condomínio Vale das Águas on October 17.

This event will be a valuable opportunity to:

Clear up any questions;
Learn more about the dam safety system;
Share your opinions and take an active part in the plan;
Prepare for the practical emergency drill.

Join us and stay informed on the topics surrounding the Mining Dam Emergency Action Plan (PAEBM).

10/21 - Mining Dam Emergency Drill – Galego Dam

On October 21 (Wednesday), at 10 a.m., the Civil Defense agencies of Sabará and Santa Luzia, together with Vale, will carry out the Emergency Drill for the Galego Dam.

How to participate: When you hear the emergency sirens, go to the nearest Meeting Point. You will be received by a team that will conclude the activity.

Participating Communities

Sabará: Borba Gato, Córrego das Lajes, Simão Cunha Industrial District, BR-381, Córrego do Meio Mine

Santa Luzia: Bom Destino, Simão Cunha Industrial District, Córrego das Lajes, BR-381, CDM Vale

Assisted Operation
BR-381, toward the Federal Highway Police Station – Bom Destino, Santa Luzia – MG
BR-381, toward the Federal Highway Police Station – Borba Gatos, Sabará – MG

Traffic Closures
Rua Ipê Amarelo, near SABPE006, exiting the community – Córrego da Lage Community, Sabará – MG
Rua Ipê Amarelo, near SABPE007 – Córrego da Lage Community, Sabará – MG
Rua das Mangueiras, at the intersection with Rua das Goiabeiras – Bom Destino, Santa Luzia – MG

Questions or More Information
Sabará Civil Defense: (31) 3672-7722
Santa Luzia Civil Defense: (31) 3641-5215
Alô Vale: 0800 285 7000

Important: There has been no change in the safety condition of the structures. All Vale dams are monitored 24 hours a day and undergo regular inspections.

11/04 - Guidance Seminar on Dam Safety in Brumadinho

Meeting on dam safety in Brumadinho. Take part!

On November 4 (Wednesday), at 7 PM, Civil Defense and Vale will hold a meeting with the community to present the Emergency Action Plan for the following dams: Menezes I, Menezes II, Dam VI, Dam VII, Capim Branco, Dique de Pedra, and Lagoa Azul, in Brumadinho.

The meeting is an opportunity to clarify doubts, learn more about the dam safety system, give input and take part in the plan, and prepare for the practical emergency drill.

Location: (to be determined)

The meeting will also be broadcast online — just visit this website on the scheduled date and time and click the access link.

For questions or more information, contact Civil Defense at: (31) 99877-1263, or reach us through Alô Vale at ☎️ 0800 285 7000.

There has been no change in the safety condition of the structures. Vale's dams are monitored 24 hours a day and inspected regularly.

11/11 - Brumadinho Dam Safety Drill

On November 11 (Wednesday), starting at 11 AM, Civil Defense and Vale will hold the Safety Drill for the Menezes I, Menezes II, Dam VI, Dam VII, Capim Branco, Dique de Pedra, and Lagoa Azul dams, in Brumadinho.

To take part, when you hear the emergency sirens, simply head to the nearest Meeting Point if you are within the Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) of these structures.

Communities taking part in the drill: Alberto Flores, Cantagalo, Beira Rio and Coqueiro Velho Condominiums, Córrego do Barro, Fazenda Flor da Índia and surrounding areas, Haras 4 Lagos, Parque da Cachoeira, Comunidade Amianto, Ponte das Almorreimas, Brumado, Conceição de Itaguá, Tejuco, Pastorinhas, Córrego Fundo, Monte Cristo, Jangada, Vale do Lago, and Córrego do Feijão.

For questions or more information, contact Civil Defense at: 199 – (31) 99877-1263, or reach us through Alô Vale at ☎️ 0800 285 7000.

There has been no change in the safety condition of the structures. Vale's dams are monitored 24 hours a day and inspected regularly.

Main engagement activities carried out to ensure the effectiveness of Mining Dam Emergency Action Plans

Internal training sessions

These training sessions help maintain the readiness of internal teams by increasing participants’ familiarity with the components of Mining Dam Emergency Action Plans and their respective roles and responsibilities.

Educational seminars

Organized by the mining company with the participation of municipal representatives, civil defense authorities and residents of the Self-Rescue Zone, these seminars are intended to communicate safety procedures and discuss ways to make the local Mining Dam Emergency Action Plan increasingly effective. During these meetings, the flood inundation map is presented, participants have the opportunity to ask questions and concerns are addressed.

Emergency drills

Emergency drills are organized by municipal civil defense authorities, with full support from the mining company, to help maintain the readiness of communities and on-site workers within the Self-Rescue Zone. Among other aspects, these drills assess the effectiveness of signage and the warning system, the suitability of assembly points and the time required for people to evacuate the hazard area. Community participation is essential.

Siren Test

Sirens undergo periodic testing, which may be either audible or silent. During audible tests, a distinct sound is used that differs from the warning signal activated during an actual emergency. This allows residents to recognize that it is only a test and not a real emergency.

Mining Dam Emergency Action Plan Compliance and Operational Readiness Assessment

This assessment consists of verifying that the plan meets the minimum compliance requirements and demonstrating its operational readiness in real emergency situations. The assessment is documented in a Compliance and Operational Readiness Report, which is prepared by a multidisciplinary team. Technical responsibility for the report must be assigned to legally qualified professionals registered with the Regional Engineering and Agronomy Council (CREA), who must also issue a Technical Responsibility Record.

In addition, a Compliance and Operational Readiness Declaration is issued, signed by the hired audit firm’s authorized representative and the legal representative of the mining company, certifying that the Emergency Action Plan complies with regulatory requirements and is operational. This declaration is available on the National Mining Agency (ANM) website.

Educational booklets on safety in areas with mining dams

As part of the engagement initiatives carried out under Mining Dam Emergency Action Plans, Vale, in partnership with H&P, created educational booklets for students from preschool to high school.

Using accessible language, engaging illustrations and appealing characters, the booklets are designed to raise awareness among school-age children and teenagers about safety precautions and emergency procedures for communities located near mining dams, reinforcing Vale’s commitment to preventive education and a strong safety culture.

Click here to download the student booklets

Click here to download the teacher booklets

Video gallery

See more guidelines on incident prevention and emergencies (only available in portuguese).

Legenda da imagem

Guidance Seminar on Dam Safety in Nova Lima