Vale's Onca Puma halted for the second time this month

By Staff reporter / October 19, 2021 / www.mining-journal.com / Article Link

Vale, one of the world's biggest nickel producers, believes the renewed order to suspend the operation is "unfounded".

Brazil's environmental regulator had suspended Onca Puma's operating licence earlier this month due to alleged non-compliance but Vale was able to restart the mine within a week after a court reinstated the licence.

However yesterday, Vale said the Judge of the Court of Justice of the State of Pará, which had granted suspensive effect to the appeal filed by the State of Pará, had reinstated the suspension.

"Vale has started the process to halt the activities at Onça Puma mine, Pará, and it will continue to take the appropriate administrative and judicial measures to reverse the order to suspend mine operations, which it considers unfounded," it said.

Onca Puma accounted for almost 9% of the company's nickel production last year, excluding Vale New Caledonia.

Onca Puma was previously shuttered in 2017-2019 due to its alleged impact on indigenous communities and Vale had been ordered to pay millions in damages in 2018.

Vale's shares lost 1% in Brazil yesterday and the company is capitalised about US$75 billion.

Recent News

Immediate trigger for crash was new Fed Chairman pick

February 02, 2026 / www.canadianminingreport.com

Gold stocks slump on metal price decline

February 02, 2026 / www.canadianminingreport.com

Is the gold market starting to turn 'irrationally exuberant'?

January 26, 2026 / www.canadianminingreport.com

Gold stocks explode up as equity markets languish

January 26, 2026 / www.canadianminingreport.com

Gold stocks outpace flat large caps

January 19, 2026 / www.canadianminingreport.com
See all >
Share to Youtube Share to Facebook Facebook Share to Linkedin Share to Twitter Twitter Share to Tiktok