...Since the beginning of the pandemic, Vale has been carrying out a series of actions to prevent and mitigate as much as possible the effects caused by the new Coronavirus (COVID-19). To ensure operational continuity, with mining being considered an essential activity, the company follows the recommendations of health authorities, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), with absolute rigor. Some of the main measures that Vale has adopted are social distancing, immediate medical attention, and massive testing, which allows for the rapid identification of people who have had contact with the virus and are asymptomatic...

The internal procedure determines how the company's efforts should be based on mitigating the transmission of COVID-19 in its operations and, by extension, in the local communities of its operations, and its key objectives are: to protect the health of employees – own and third parties and communities; prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection at Vale's units worldwide; and guaranteeing safe operational continuity: providing the necessary conditions so that a minimum workforce can ensure safe production.

In this sense, Vale has adopted three levels of defense against the COVID-19 virus in its operations.

The first level is the daily Health Checklist and the service provided by the company's Health Plan – PASA...The second line of defense is the physical distance, measurement of body temperature at the entrances, and protection and hygiene measures at all units. In this line, to expand the protection of the health and safety of workers who need to work in operations, Vale has adopted standards of world-class safety, following the premises of the World Health Organization (WHO)...

Vale also decided to test all its employees as the third line of defense in the fight against the pandemic...In addition to daily cleaning and disinfection of indoor environments, proper use of a mask covering the mouth and nose, and hand hygiene with soap and water or 70% alcohol gel during the pandemic’s peak waves...

Since the pandemic's beginning, Vale has made itself available to the federal government, states, and municipalities to collaborate where necessary. Considering its historical presence in China, combined with the company's logistical capacity, it was possible to carry out some important actions in 2020 and 2021...

Since 2Q20, Vale has donated more than R$600 million to the fight against COVID-19 in the regions where it operates...

Throughout 2020, Vale reinforced its commitment to protecting employees and service providers, providing a safe working environment for all, supporting the communities where it operates, local suppliers, and equipping hospitals and healthcare professionals...

In partnership with the Municipality of Itabira and the Federal University of Itajubá - Campus Itabira (UNIFEI), in 2020 Vale also supported an epidemiological study on the prevalence of infection by the new Coronavirus and its evolution in the city, with the donation of 10,000 kits rapid tests and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)...

In March 2021, Vale hired Einstein to carry out technical consultancy in health management for Itabira through the Municipal Health Department. At the time, Vale supported the implementation of 20 ICUs at Hospital Nossa Senhora das Dores, aimed at treating patients with COVID-19, with a specialized team and donated 10 pulmonary ventilators, in addition to five high-flow generators for respiratory support...

More information about Vale's actions in Minas Gerais and other locations related to the fight against COVID-19 can be found at VALE's website: www.vale.com/coronavirus and at http://www.vale.com/brasil/PT/aboutvale/news/Documents/Balanco_valemais_final_MG_1s2 0.pdf for more details on the actions in 2020 in the State of Minas Gerais...