Vale has reached an agreement with the state of Para to reinstate the operating licenses for its Onca Puma nickel mine and Sossego copper mine. The Brazilian mining company announced the deal in a securities filing on Thursday, stating that the licenses are expected to be reinstated within 48 hours.
The reinstatement will allow Vale to resume operations at both mines “as soon as possible.” The company also agreed to implement socio-environmental measures as part of the agreement with the state government.
Para had suspended the licenses earlier this year due to irregularities in an annual environmental report and non-compliance with mining mitigation efforts, which had caused conflicts with local communities. Vale committed to resubmitting an environmental impact report that meets Para’s requirements, paving the way for the court-mediated deal.
The Onca Puma nickel mine has an estimated annual nominal capacity of 27,000 metric tons, while the Sossego mine produced 66,800 metric tons of copper in 2023. 
