Wide aerial landscape view of a winding river or reservoir surrounded by dense green native forests and rolling hills under an overcast sky. Wide aerial landscape view of a winding river or reservoir surrounded by dense green native forests and rolling hills under an overcast sky.

Photo: Nilmar Lage

Close-up photograph of a small squirrel monkey perched on a mossy tree branch, surrounded by lush green foliage and branches in a natural forest habitat.

Photo: Isaque Junior

Experiencing our natural wealth is essential. And if it's essential to you, it has everything to do with Vale.

We help protect, in Brazil and around the world, an area of forests equivalent to 1 million football fields.

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Amazon

One of Vale's main commitments is to support the conservation of the Amazon, where we have been present for 40 years.

We support the protection of approximately 800 thousand hectares in the Carajás Mosaic, in Pará, equivalent to 800 thousand football fields. This conservation is carried out in partnership with ICMBio (Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation), joining forces to protect nature and boost science, culture, and bioeconomy in the region.

Low-angle upward shot capturing a massive tall tree trunk rising through a dense rainforest canopy filled with green leaves and branches.

Photo: Washington Alves

Close-up photograph of a three-toed sloth resting comfortably among tree branches and lush green leaves in a forest canopy.

Photo: Isaque Junior

Also in partnership with ICMBio, we support the recovery of areas surrounding the Carajás conservation units through agroforestry systems, which generate income for local communities through sustainable farming and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For 40 years, we have maintained BioParque Vale Amazônia, a 30-hectare area of native forest that allows bird, agouti, and monkey species to roam freely in the visiting zones. BioParque supports environmental studies, research, and projects aimed at protecting local biodiversity by displaying and conserving species of Amazonian fauna and flora.

Vale Natural Reserve

The Vale Natural Reserve is one of the largest continuous areas of preserved Atlantic Forest in the country. Located in Linhares (Espírito Santo), the reserve is an official space for environmental conservation and scientific research maintained by Vale since 1978.

For decades, the site has carried out ongoing scientific research focused on the study of biodiversity and the conservation of ecosystems present across its approximately 23 thousand hectares of Atlantic Forest.

Close-up portrait of a vibrant blue-and-yellow macaw in the foreground, with blurred red macaws visible in the background.

Photo: Ricardo Teles

Low-angle view of a large, mature native tree with a thick trunk and wide branching canopy standing against a clear blue sky.

Photo: Vitor de Azevedo Lopes

The studies conducted at the reserve are essential for forest management and conservation, in addition to contributing to scientific education and environmental awareness for society. To support this research, the facility features:

Plant nursery, dedicated to plant conservation and experimentation.

Entomological collection, featuring various cataloged insect species.

Herbarium, which houses important botanical collections from the region.

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Photo: Ricardo Teles

Forest Goal

In 2018, Vale announced six sustainability commitments to be achieved by 2030 in alignment with the UN agenda, including protecting and restoring 500 thousand hectares of areas beyond its borders. This voluntary forest commitment is one of the most robust in the mining sector and is expected to contribute to another company objective: becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

More than 115 thousand hectares of forests are being protected through partnerships established in 2020 and 2021 with the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), the State Environmental Institute (Inea), and the State Institute of Environment and Water Resources (Iema) in Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais, under the coordination of the Vale Natural Reserve.

Key areas of operation:

  • Ecosystem Protection and Biodiversity Conservation, including the systematic monitoring of rare and endangered species.
  • Environmental Awareness in connection with nature.

Frequently asked questions

We help protect approximately 800 thousand hectares of native forest in the Carajás Mosaic, an area five times the size of the city of São Paulo. We work in a historic partnership with ICMBio (Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation) to ensure the enforcement, research, and conservation of this area. Additionally, we maintain facilities like BioParque Vale Amazônia, featuring 30 hectares of native forest open for visitation and environmental education.

No. Vale's operations occupy a minimal fraction of the territory and ensure the protection of the vast majority of the area. Although the Carajás region (PA) accounts for about 60% of our iron ore production, our operations occupy only around 2% of the total area. The remaining 98% is fully protected.

By investing in the bioeconomy through the Vale Fund. We understand that the forest only stands if it generates income for those who live in it. For 15 years, the Vale Fund has been promoting businesses with positive social and environmental impacts (such as açaí, cocoa, and honey supply chains). Throughout its journey, the fund has already supported over 100 projects and accelerated 200 businesses, benefiting around 60 thousand people, including farmers, extractivists, and their families.

Yes. We have an ambitious goal to restore 100 thousand hectares of degraded land by 2030. Practical examples include:

  • Restoration in Serra Sul: Planting over 1 million native seedlings on acquired pasturelands.  
  • Horizontes Project: A partnership with ICMBio to implement agroforestry systems that create ecological corridors and generate income for local communities.  
  • Forest Nursery: Produces around 200 thousand native species seedlings per year to support these efforts.

Vale values Amazonian culture and uses its voice to amplify the global climate agenda. Through the Vale Cultural Institute, we maintain the Cultural House of Canaã dos Carajás and sponsor the revival of regional traditions. In 2025, Vale was the main sponsor of Amazônia Live Hoje e Sempre, sharing the music and culture of Pará with the world while raising awareness about the urgent need to protect the forest.

Spanning approximately 23 thousand hectares, the Vale Natural Reserve is part of the Green and Waters Circuit, one of the main tourist routes in Espírito Santo.  

In addition to visitor attractions – such as an observation tower, trails, a playground, a picnic area, and an Atlantic Forest exhibition (under renovation) – important conservation and research work is carried out on-site.

One of the primary initiatives developed at the Vale Natural Reserve is scientific research and production. Studies on biodiversity across its nearly 23 thousand hectares are essential for forest management and conservation, alongside playing an educational role for society.