Samarco’s CEO, Rodrigo Vilela, participated in the discussions on the advances of the ESG (Environment, Society and Governance) agenda, during an event promoted by the Brazilian Mining Institute (Ibram), this Monday (Sep-05). The meeting brought together representatives of companies and the third sector to assess the balance sheet and data that show the sector's performance in relation to ESG goals.

Vilela highlighted that good practices are fundamental for promoting local, regional and global development and recalled the importance of forest offset, carried out in addition to legislation. He pointed out that the area protected by Samarco represents five times the occupied area.

“Another point is the issue of water, which is fundamental for the world. To resume our operations at the end of 2020, we built a filtration system with the main purpose of not using tailings dams. Thus, we were able to recirculate water by more than 90% in our process, in addition to reducing the use of electricity,” he said.

For the president of Samarco, governance is fundamental and must transcend issues of legislation. “We need to expand the concept of Compliance and focus on ESG as a value creation advantage. ESG is the basis for sustaining the management and value strategy for communities. Samarco is committed to Ibram and to the decision to contribute to a transformation. This is part of the process of doing a different mining and we will use all the necessary management tools”, stressed Vilela.

Sustainable actions

In August this year, Samarco released the 2021 Sustainability Report, which pointed out the results of the practices carried out and aligned with the ESG agenda, the Global Compact, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and Ibram's Letter of Commitment. The Statement of Commitment to Sustainability was launched last year.