OREANDA-NEWS. In recent years, Vale has diversified its investments in energy generation. In 1998, the Igarapava Hydroelectric Power Plant went into operation in Rio Grande, in the state of Minas Gerais. This is the first hydroelectric power plant to be managed by a consortium made up of Vale and four other companies. Our company already has 22 power generation projects in operation worldwide, 13 of which are located in Brazil, five in Canada and three in Indonesia.

Vale also has a 9% stake in the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam complex in the state of Para, and the inauguration of the Estreito Hydroelectric Power Plant on the River Tocantins in 2012 has increased our company's energy generation even further. In this year, this plant produced an amount of energy equivalent to 22% of the energy consumed by Vale in Brazil in 2011. With this, we can now self-supply 62% of the power required for our operations.