Federal prosecutors demand an independent audit and a freeze of 200 million Brazilian reais.
Vale faces a civil public action filed by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) on Wednesday, 9 September. The lawsuit also targets the National Mining Agency (ANM) and the state government of Minas Gerais over environmental damage caused by an overflow of water and sediment at the Viga mine in Congonhas, Minas Gerais, in January 2026.
The MPF requested the freezing of BRL 200 million in Vale assets to guarantee environmental repairs, as well as the suspension of any transfer of mining rights. Prosecutors also demanded that Vale fund an independent technical audit without conflicts of interest to monitor environmental compliance and operational safety.
An event that caused mine structures to overflow and transported sediment into watercourses requires monitoring by an independent technical audit to evaluate the safety of the measures taken and the adaptation of facilities to heavy rains.
Following the incident, the ANM inspected the mine and ordered its total shutdown after finding compromised infrastructure and a lack of proof regarding operational safety. The MPF stated that it held meetings with Vale, state prosecutors, and environmental agencies to reach a consensual solution, but the mining company did not sign the agreement.
Vale stated that it had not yet been formally notified of the lawsuit. The miner added that, despite an agreement signed in August with Minas Gerais state prosecutors and the state government, it remains committed to talks with the MPF for an out-of-court resolution while taking all necessary recovery measures.
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