Resumption of operations in 2020 resulted in the collection of more than BRL 1.6 billion in taxes by June this year

Samarco celebrates its 45th anniversary this Wednesday (Aug-24), with data showing that the gradual resumption of operations has allowed the continuity of its contribution to the socioeconomic development of the territories where it operates in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. Since its resumption by June of this year, the company reached the production of approximately 12 million tons of iron ore pellets and fines. In the period, around 120 ships were loaded.

The result enabled the generation of more than BRL 1.6 billion in tax revenue in the period, including taxes generated by suppliers on purchases for the company. In 2020, the company began a new journey, operating at 26% of its production capacity, and the investments planned for this year are approximately BRL 1.2 billion. In 2021 alone, BRL 510 million were allocated to interventions to de-characterize the Germano pit and dam, which are at an advanced stage.

Samarco's CEO, Rodrigo Vilela, highlights that these results are being achieved in order to generate value for society, based on the dedication and involvement of employees and the support of the communities where the company operates. Vilela also reinforces that, throughout the company's 45 years, innovation has always been present.

“The company was born on the basis of an innovative project that added value to low-grade ore through the flotation process and transportation via pipelines, a first in the country. When we resumed our operations, we implemented new technologies and innovated once again by not using a tailings dam”, he says.

Learnings

In 2015, the Fundão dam failure was a milestone in the history of the company and the mining industry. “We have no right to make mistakes again. We revisited and reinforced our values ​​and principles, such as respect for people and the environment. After all, we are always in pursuit of our purpose, which is carrying out mining differently, safer and more sustainable,” said Vilela.

In recent years, the monitoring of all geotechnical structures has been reinforced with the use of 1,500 pieces of equipment, bringing more safety to operations. Investments were also made in social programs and donations to fight the pandemic.

Sharing value

In order to promote the socio-economic development of the territories where it operates, the company launched Força Local, a program for the development of local suppliers. From January to May of this year, the program held 17 lectures, workshops and seminars with 680 participants. Furthermore, there were BRL 301.4 million in purchases from 49 local suppliers.

Recently, Samarco launched the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Program to strengthen actions to promote racial and gender equity, as well as for people with special needs and LGBTI+, in favor of an increasingly inclusive environment. Projects to encourage innovative ideas from employees are also responsible for the performance achieved.

“We resumed our operations to go beyond the walls of the company. We assume our social role in favor of a more diverse, equitable and inclusive society and company. We know that we have a great challenge ahead of us, especially when looking at data from Brazil, the mining sector and our company, but together we can change this scenario”, said Vilela.

Through partnerships and shared knowledge, the company has invested in innovation and new technologies, together with universities, associations, startups and other companies in the industry.

Currently, Samarco has approximately 9,000 direct employees (around 1,500 of which are direct employees and 7,500 outsourced/contracted), appropriate for a resumption at 26% .

Sustainable practices

The 2021 Sustainability Report, released on the 8th, showed the results of these and other internal and external actions carried out in the first year after resuming operations.

Among the main highlights of the document are the results of the implementation of the tailings disposal system, which ensures that 80% of the sandy tailings are filtered for dry stacking. The remaining 20% ​​(slimes) are disposed of in a pit and 90% of the extracted water is reused.

“The report is an opportunity to confirm our commitment to transparency with society. With investments in innovative technologies, we are realizing our projects, always focusing on safety and transformation. Moreover, we maintain an institutional policy that leads us to share value with communities and municipalities, rebuilding our relationships”, highlighted the director of Projects and Sustainability, Reuber Koury.

About Samarco

The company is a privately held company that started operations in 1977, a joint venture owned 50/50 by Vale and BHP. Headquartered in Belo Horizonte (MG), it is a pioneer in Brazil in the mining of low-grade iron ore and in the transportation of slurry by pipeline. It is a fully integrated enterprise, with two operating units: the Germano Complex, in Mariana (MG), which includes the mines and iron ore processing plants, and the Ubu Complex, in Anchieta (ES), where the pellet plants and port terminal are located. Its main product is iron ore pellets, the raw material for steel production in the steel industry.