Vale Mineradora is accused of not making commitments in the construction of a new railway

Vale is accused of failing to meet crucial commitments for the construction of the Vitória-Minas Railway! The project, essential for Espírito Santo, is facing serious delays, putting the mining company against the wall.

A Mining Vale is at the center of new accusations due to the failure to fulfill the commitments made for the construction of a new railway between Santa Leopoldina and Anchieta, in the South of Espírito Santo.

The state's vice-governor, Ricardo Ferraço, did not hold back in criticizing the mining company and demanded that the company honor the established deadlines.

According to the portal The Gazette, Ferraço claims that the agreed schedule was not met, which has generated frustration and apprehension regarding the progress of the project.

The mining company, which had presented a detailed plan with specific deadlines, is completely behind schedule.

Ferraço even asked that the federal government, responsible for the concession of the railway, take action and “bring Vale into line” for failing to meet the agreed deadlines.

At an event held on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Vitória, Ferraço did not hesitate to reinforce his demanding speech.

During the opening of a Lide Espírito Santo event, the vice-governor stated:

“Vale needs to keep its word. We were presented with a schedule and the deadlines were not honored. We are waiting for the federal government, responsible for the concession, to bring Vale into line.”

Delays and unfulfilled promises

According to the vice-governor, Vale committed, in meetings held in 2023, to follow a specific schedule for the implementation of the railway.

At the time, in a meeting at Palácio Anchieta, representatives of the mining company presented state authorities, including Governor Renato Casagrande, with a plan that provided for the completion of expropriations and environmental licensing by July 2025.

However, to date, nothing that was planned and agreed upon has been substantially implemented.

Vale's schedule, which included delivery of the work by 2030, did not progress as expected.

The lack of effective action has generated criticism from various sectors, from the state government to representatives of civil society, who fear the consequences of delays in the development of the state's infrastructure.

In his speech, Ferraço was incisive when he stated:

“Vale made the commitments, not us. Vale is behind on our commitments, all deadlines have expired.”

The deputy governor's statement reflects the growing frustration of local authorities with the mining company's stance, which is now being held accountable for the progress of the work.

The impact of the railway on the state

The construction of the Vitória-Minas Railway, which promises to connect Santa Leopoldina to Anchieta, is considered one of the most important works for the infrastructure of Espírito Santo.

In addition to promoting the flow of production from the region, the railway has great potential to boost the local economy, facilitate the transportation of cargo and generate new jobs, which could bring significant benefits to municipalities in the south of the state.

The strategic importance of the railway is a factor that makes delays in the schedule even more worrying.

The lack of progress on the project directly affects the region's growth, impacting not only transport logistics, but also company investments and the quality of life of the local population.

With the expropriation and environmental licensing schedule still far from being met, expectations for the project's completion in 2030 are becoming increasingly uncertain.

The promises made by Vale in 2023 did not materialize, and the question now is how long the government of Espírito Santo and the population will have to wait.

The role of the federal government

Another point raised by Ferraço was the role of the federal government in supervising and monitoring the work.

As the railway concession is under the responsibility of the Union, the vice-governor highlighted that it is crucial that the federal government intervene and take the necessary measures to ensure that the mining company fulfills the commitments it has made.

Vale's lack of action, according to Ferraço, requires a firm stance from the federal administration to ensure that the work is completed within the stipulated deadlines.

The expectation is that, with increasing pressure from the population and state authorities, the federal government will increase the demands on Vale and closely monitor the progress of the works, ensuring that the established schedule is strictly followed.

Monitoring of the bidding process and deadlines must also be intensified, in order to avoid further delays that could further harm the development of infrastructure in the state.

Recommended for you

Economy

Government says they are assets of the Union and authorizes expropriations in the area of ​​a new mega railway that will transport 25 million tons of iron ore per year

The government has given the green light for expropriations and the construction of a mega railway! The billion-dollar project promises to revolutionize rail transport, removing thousands of trucks from the roads and exporting millions…

Alisson Ficher

2

Vale's commitments and the challenges faced

Despite the criticism, Vale has not yet officially positioned itself on the delays mentioned by Ferraço and other representatives of the Espírito Santo government.

The mining company has stated on other occasions that the licensing process and expropriations are complex stages that depend on several external factors, such as the approval of environmental studies and compliance with legal standards.

However, the lack of transparency and delays in the works have led to increasing pressure from both the state government and the population, who is eagerly awaiting the start of the railway works.

Vale, which holds enormous influence in the state, now needs to demonstrate greater commitment and seriousness to ensure that deadlines are met and that the work is completed as promised.

Possible solutions and the future of the project

Given the current scenario, the solution appears to depend on closer collaboration between Vale, the state government and the federal government.

The growing pressure on the mining company could be a catalyst to speed up the progress of the project, which still has great potential to benefit Espírito Santo.

Continuous monitoring of the project stages and rigorous supervision are essential to ensure that the schedule is met, without further delays.

The active participation of civil society, with the support of local authorities, can also be essential to ensure that the interests of the population are respected and that the work is not delayed any further.

If completed as planned, the project has the potential to be a milestone for the economic and social development of the southern region of Espírito Santo, transforming local infrastructure and providing new benefits to the population.

However, for this to happen, Vale will need to demonstrate commitment to the established deadlines and fulfill the promises made in 2023.