Basis of preparation of the financial statements (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Changes in significant accounting policies

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over income tax treatments – IFRIC 23 became effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 and clarifies the measurement and recognition requirements of IAS 12 Income taxes. It does not apply to taxes or levies outside the scope of IAS 12, nor does it specifically include requirements relating to interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax treatments. The Interpretation specifically addresses the following: (i) whether an entity considers uncertain tax treatments separately, (ii) the assumptions an entity makes about the examination of tax treatments by tax authorities, and (iii) how an entity determines taxable profit (tax loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits, and tax rates.

Upon adoption of the Interpretation, the Company considered whether it has any uncertain tax positions, particularly those relating to the deduction of social security contributions on the net income (“CSLL”) in Brazil, and determined that, although there is an uncertainty that could affect the 2018 year end, it is deemed probable that the Company’s treatments will be accepted by the Brazilian tax authority. Further details in relation to this uncertain tax position is disclosed in note 8.

IFRS 16 Leases – The Company applied IFRS 16 from January 1, 2019 using the retrospective approach with the cumulative effect recognized as at the date of initial application. Accordingly, the comparative information has not been restated and continues to be presented under IAS 17 and related interpretations. On transitioning to IFRS 16, the lease agreements were recognized in the statement of financial position and measured discounting the remaining minimum contractual payments at the present value, using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate, depending on the remaining lease term.

The Company used the following practical expedients in applying IFRS 16: (i) applied a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases with similar characteristics; (ii) applied the exemption not to recognize right-of-use assets and liabilities for leases with less than 12 months of lease term and/or leases of low-value assets. The payments associated to these leases will be recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term; and (iii) used hindsight when determining the lease term, to determine if the contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease.

As a result of IFRS 16 adoption, the Company has changed its accounting policy for lease contracts, except for its mineral leases, as the standard excludes from its scope leases to explore for or use minerals, oil, natural gas and similar non-regenerative resources. Details of these changes are summarized below.

The ferrous minerals produced in Brazil are mainly shipped to Asia. The Company has leased the Ponta da Madeira and Itaguaí maritime terminals in Brazil, that are primarily for the delivery of iron ore and iron ore pellets to bulk carrier vessels. The remaining lease terms are, respectively, 4 and 7 years for the ports in Brazil. Vale also has a lease agreement for a maritime terminal in Oman, which is used to deliver iron ore pellets produced in that location. The remaining lease term is 24 years for the port in Oman.

Some of the delivery of iron ore from Brazil to the Asian clients are made through five time-charter agreements, which have 11 years remaining lease term on average.

As part of the ferrous minerals segment, the Company also has long-term agreements for the exploration and processing of iron ore with its joint ventures, such as the agreements to lease the pelletizing plants in Brazil. These lease agreements contain variable payment terms based on the pellet production.

In addition, the Company leases an oxygen plant dedicated to the base metals operation, as part of its nickel operation run in Canada. The remaining period of this lease agreement is 11 years.

The Company also has a long-term contract related to the right of use of certain locomotives dedicated to the transportation of coal in Mozambique, which has a remaining lease term of 7 years.

Vale has leased properties for its operational facilities and commercial and administrative offices in the various locations where the Company conducts its business.

Following are the discount rates applied in discounting the lease liabilities at present value:


	Discount rate
Ports	3% to 6	%
Vessels	3% to 6	%
Pellets plants	3% to 6	%
Properties	3% to 7	%
Energy plants	4% to 5	%
Locomotives	7	%
Mining equipment	4% to 6	%

Until December 31, 2018, the lease arrangements were classified as operating leases and were not recognized in the Company’s statement of financial position. The contractual payments were recognized in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Following are the lease liabilities recognized under IFRS 16 reconciled to the disclosed operating lease commitments under IAS 17, as at December 31, 2018:


	Lease commitments
	disclosed on December		Present value	Lease liability recognized
	31, 2018	Contracts scoped out	adjustment	on January 1, 2019
Ports	1,131	—	(364)	767
Vessels	769	(1)	(164)	604
Pellets plants	218	(15)	(52)	151
Properties	162	(1)	(24)	137
Energy plants	94	—	(29)	65
Locomotives	68	(7)	(16)	45
Mining equipment	55	(18)	(5)	32
Total	2,497	(42)	(654)	1,801

The lease liability is presented on the statement of financial position as “Leases” and the accounting policy related to leases is disclosed in note 19. The total amount of the variable lease payments not included in the measurement of lease liabilities, which have been recognized straight to the income statement, for the year ended December 31, 2019 was US$560. The interest accretion recognized in the income statement is disclosed in note 6.

Changes in the recognized right-of-use assets and leases liabilities are as follows:


	Assets
		Additions and contract			Translation	December 31,
	January 1, 2019	modifications (i)	Impairment (ii)	Depreciation	adjustment	2019
Ports	767	13	—	(41)	(5)	734
Vessels	604	28	—	(50)	—	582
Pellets plants	151	60	—	(35)	(15)	161
Properties	137	42	(16)	(30)	—	133
Energy plants	65	4	—	(7)	2	64
Locomotives	45	—	(39)	(6)	—	—
Mining equipment	32	—	—	(14)	—	18
Total	1,801	147	(55)	(183)	(18)	1,692


	Liabilities
		Additions and contract			Translation	December 31,
	January 1, 2019	modifications (i)	Payments	Interest	adjustment	2019
Ports	767	13	(55)	31	(6)	750
Vessels	604	28	(74)	22	—	580
Pellets plants	151	60	(36)	8	(8)	175
Properties	137	42	(34)	7	—	152
Energy plants	65	4	(7)	4	5	71
Locomotives	45	—	(8)	3	—	40
Mining equipment	32	—	(10)	1	—	23
Total	1,801	147	(224)	76	(9)	1,791

(i) Additions mainly relates to new administrative offices lease and to renewal of the contract with Nibrasco, a pelletizing plant, which expires in December 2022.

(ii) Relates to the impairment of coal business assets, which resulted in the provision for loss of properties e and locomotive right of use assets. Further details in relation to the impairment is disclosed in note 20.

The annual minimum payments are presented as follows:


	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024 onwards	Total
Ports	59	59	59	58	851	1,086
Vessels	67	65	63	62	465	722
Pellets plants	35	31	31	11	110	218
Properties	42	37	22	18	64	183
Energy plants	7	7	7	7	64	92
Locomotives	8	8	8	8	23	55
Mining equipment	7	6	6	4	4	27
Total	225	213	196	168	1,581	2,383

The amounts in the table above presents the undiscounted lease obligation by maturity date. The lease liability disclosed as “leases” in the balance sheet is measured at the present value of such obligations.

Provisions are measured at the present value of management’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period. The discount rate used to determine the present value is a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as interest expense. Provisions are not recognized for future operating losses.

Revenue

Revenue is recognized when the control of a good or service transferred to a customer. Since Vale’s sales are under different shipping terms, revenue could be recognized when the product is available at the loading port, loaded on the ship, at the port of discharge or at the customer’s warehouse.

A relevant proportion of Vale’s sales are under Cost and Freight (“CFR”) and Cost, Insurance and Freight (“CIF”) Incoterms, in which the Company is responsible for providing shipping services after the date that Vale transfers control of the goods to the customers. Shipping services for CFR and CIF contracts are considered as a separate performance obligation in which a proportion of the transaction price is allocated and recognized over time as the shipping services are provided.

Generally, the contract payment terms consider the upfront payments or the use of credit letters. The payment terms do not have a significant financing component. In some cases, the sale price is determined on a provisional basis at the date of sale and adjustments to the sale price subsequently occur based on movements in the quoted market or contractual prices up to the date of final pricing.

Revenue is recognized based on the estimated fair value of the total consideration receivable, and the provisionally priced sale mechanism embedded within these sale arrangements has the character of a derivative. Accordingly, the fair value of the final sale price adjustment is re-estimated continuously and changes in fair value are recognized as operational revenue in the income statement.

Transactions in foreign currencies and translation from the fuctional currency to the presentation currency

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rate prevailing at the transaction date. The foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the translation at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the year are recognized in the income statement as “financial income or expense”. The exceptions are transactions related to qualifying net investment hedges or items that are attributable to part of the net investment in a foreign operation, for which gains and losses are recognized in the statement of comprehensive income.

Translation from the functional currency to the presentation currency - The income statement and statement of financial position of the subsidiaries for which the functional currency is different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency as follows: (i) assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity, except for the components described in item (iii) are translated at the closing rate at the statement of financial position date; (ii) income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates, except for specific significant transactions that, are translated at the rate at the transaction date and; (iii) capital, capital reserves and treasury stock are translated at the rate at each transaction date. All resulting exchange differences are recognized directly in the comprehensive income as “translation adjustments”. When a foreign operation is disposed of or sold, foreign exchanges differences that were recognized in equity are recognized in the income of statement.

Streaming transactions

The Company recognizes contract liabilities in the event it receives payments from customers before a sale meets criteria for revenue recognition. Proceeds received under the terms of the streaming transaction are accounted for as “streaming transactions” and included within liabilities.

Contract liability is initially recognized at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred, and is subsequently carried at amortized cost and updated using the effective interest rate method. Contract liability is released in the income statement as the control of the product or service is transferred to the customer.

Income taxes

The Brazilian corporate tax law requires the taxation on the income generated from foreign subsidiaries and, therefore, income tax charge is calculated using the tax rate enacted at the end of the reporting period in Brazil. The effects of the income tax calculation in the consolidated financial statements are calculated by applying the differential between the Brazilian income tax rate and the local income tax rate of each jurisdiction where the Company’s subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income.

Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation and it establishes provisions, where appropriate, on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities. The benefits of uncertain tax positions are recorded only after determining a more-likely-than-not probability that the uncertain tax positions will withstand challenge, if any, from taxing authorities.

Deferred income taxes are recognized based on temporary differences between carrying amount and the tax basis of assets and liabilities as well as tax losses carryforwards. However, deferred tax liabilities are not recognized if they arise from the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred income tax is also not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that, at the time of the transaction, affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and where the deferred tax balances relate to the same taxation authority.

The deferred tax assets arising from tax losses and temporary differences are not recognized when it is not probable that future taxable profit will be available against which temporary differences and/or tax losses can be utilized.

Current and deferred tax is recognized in profit or loss, except to the extent that it relates to items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in stockholder’s equity. In this case, the tax is also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in stockholder’s equity, respectively.

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable is the total amount due from sale of products and services rendered by the Company. Accounts receivable is recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, except for component of provisionally priced commodities sales that are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss.

The Company applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all accounts receivable. The Company has established a provision matrix that is based on historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the economic environment and by any financial guarantees related to these accounts receivables.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and the net realizable value. The inventory production cost comprises variable and fixed costs, direct and indirect costs of production and are assigned to individual items of inventory on the basis of weighted average costs method. At the end of the reporting period, net realizable value of inventories are assessed and a provision for losses on obsolete or slow-moving inventory may be recognized. The write-downs and reversals are recognized as “Cost of goods sold and services rendered”.

Business combination

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for all business combinations, regardless of whether equity instruments or other assets are acquired. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary comprises (i) fair values of the assets transferred; (ii) liabilities assumed of the acquired business; (iii) equity interests issued to the Company; (iv) fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement, and (v) fair value of any pre-existing equity interest in the subsidiary.

Identifiable assets acquired, and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are, with limited exceptions, measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. The Company recognizes any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquired entity’s net identifiable assets.

Discontinued operation

The classification as a discontinued operation occurs through disposal, or when the operation meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale if this occurs earlier. A discontinued operation is a component of a Company business comprising cash flows and operations that may be clearly distinct from the rest of the Company and that represents an important separate line of business or geographical area of operations.

The result of discontinued operations is presented in a single amount in the income statement, including the results after income tax of these operations less any impairment loss. Cash flows attributable to operating, investing and financing activities of discontinued operations are disclosed in a separate note.

When an operation is classified as a discontinued operation, the income statements of the prior periods are restated as if the operation had been discontinued since the beginning of the comparative period.

Any noncontrolling interest relating to a group disposal held for sale is presented in the stockholders’ equity and is not reclassified in the statement of financial position.

Investments

Consolidation and investments in associates and joint ventures - The financial statements reflect the assets, liabilities and transactions of the Parent Company and its direct and indirect controlled entities (“subsidiaries”). The subsidiaries are consolidated when the Company is exposed or has rights to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to direct the significant activities of the investee. Intercompany balances and transactions, which include unrealized profits, are eliminated.

The entities over which the Company has joint control (“joint ventures”) or significant influence, but not control (“associates”) are presented in note 16. Those investments are accounted for using the equity method. For interests in joint arrangements not classified as joint ventures (“joint operations”), the Company recognizes its share of assets, liabilities and net income.

Unrealized gains on downstream or upstream transactions between the Company and its associates and joint ventures are eliminated proportionately to the Company’s interest.

Investments held by other investors in Vale’s subsidiaries are classified as noncontrolling interests (“NCI”). The Company treats transactions with noncontrolling interests as transactions with equity owners of the Company as described in note 17.

For purchases or disposals from noncontrolling interests, the difference between the consideration paid and the proportion acquired of the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary is directly recorded in stockholders’ equity in “Results from operation with noncontrolling interest”.

Joint arrangements investments - Joint arrangements are all entities over which the Company has shared control with one or more parties. Joint arrangement investments are classified as either joint operations or joint ventures depending on the contractual rights and obligations of each investor.

The joint operations are recorded in the financial statements to represent the Company’s contractual rights and obligations.

Interests in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method, after initially being recognized at cost. The Company's investment in joint ventures includes the goodwill identified in the acquisition, net of any impairment loss.

The Company's interest in the profits or losses of its joint ventures is recognized in the income statement and participation in the changes in reserves is recognized in the Company's reserves. When the Company's interest in the losses of an associate or joint venture is equal to or greater than the carrying amount of the investment, including any other receivables, the Company does not recognize additional losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the joint venture.

Intangibles

Intangibles are carried at the acquisition cost, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges.

The estimated useful lives are as follows:


		Useful life
Railways concessions		3 to 50 years
Usufruct		22 to 31 years
Software		5 years

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at the cost of acquisition or construction, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment charges.

Mineral properties developed internally are determined by (i) direct and indirect costs attributed to build the mining facilities, (ii) financial charges incurred during the construction period, (iii) depreciation of other fixed assets used during construction, (iv) estimated decommissioning and site restoration expenses, and (v) other capitalized expenditures during the development phase (phase when the project demonstrates its economic benefit to the Company, and the Company has ability and intention to complete the project).

The depletion of mineral properties is determined based on the ratio between production and total proven and probable mineral reserves.

Property, plant and equipment, other than mineral properties are depreciated using the straight‑line method based on the estimated useful lives, from the date on which the assets become available for their intended use and are capitalized, except for land which is not depreciated.

The estimated useful lives are as follows:


		Useful life
Buildings		3 to 50 years
Facilities		3 to 50 years
Equipment		3 to 40 years
Others:
Locomotives		12 to 25 years
Wagon		30 to 44 years
Railway equipment		5 to 33 years
Ships		20 years
Others		2 to 50 years

The residual values and useful lives of assets are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted if necessary.

Exploration and evaluation expenditures

Expenditures on mining research are accounted for as operating expenses until the effective proof of economic feasibility and commercial viability of a given field can be demonstrated. From then on, the expenditures incurred are capitalized as mineral properties.

Expenditures on feasibility studies, new technologies and others research

The Company also conducts feasibility studies for many businesses which it operates including researching new technologies to optimize the mining process. After these costs are proven to generate future benefits to the Company, the expenditures incurred are capitalized.

Maintenance costs

Significant industrial maintenance costs, including spare parts, assembly services, and others, are recorded in property, plant and equipment and depreciated through the next programmed maintenance overhaul.

Stripping costs

The cost associated with the removal of overburden and other waste materials (“stripping costs”) incurred during the development of mines, before production takes place, are capitalized as part of the depreciable cost of the mineral properties. These costs are subsequently amortized over the useful life of the mine.

Post‑production stripping costs are included in the cost of inventory, except when a new project is developed to permit access to a significant ore deposits. In such cases, the cost is capitalized as a non‑current asset and is amortized during the extraction of the ore deposits, over the useful life of the ore deposits.

Leases

At inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains a lease, if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

The Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date. The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the lease term or the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise: (i) fixed payments, including in-substance fixed payments; (ii) variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate; and (iii) the exercise price under a purchase option or renewal option that are under the Company’s control and is reasonably certain to be exercised.

The lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate. When the lease liability is remeasured, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset or is recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero.

Impairment and onerous contracts

Impairment of non‑financial assets - Non‑financial assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount might not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset´s carrying value exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset‘s fair value less costs of disposal (“FVLCD”) and value in use (“VIU”).

FVLCD is generally determined as the present value of the estimated future cash flows expected to arise from the continued use of the asset from a market participant’s perspective, including any expansion prospects. VIU model is determined as the present value of the estimated future cash flows expected to arise from the continued use of the asset in its present form. Value in use is determined by applying assumptions specific to the Company’s continued use and cannot take into account future development. These assumptions are different to those used in calculating fair value and consequently the VIU calculation is likely to give a different result to a FVLCD calculation.

Assets that have an indefinite useful life and are not subject to amortization, such as goodwill, are tested annually for impairment.

For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (CGU). Goodwill is allocated to Cash Generating Units or Cash Generating Units groups that are expected to benefit from the business combinations in which the goodwill arose and are identified in accordance with the operating segment.

Non‑current assets (excluding goodwill) in which the Company recognized impairment in the past are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the impairment may no longer be applicable. In such cases, an impairment reversal will be recognized.

Onerous Contracts - For certain long-term contracts, a provision is recognized when the present value of the unavoidable cost to meet the Company’s obligation exceeds the economic benefits that could be received from those contracts.

Loans and borrowings

Loans and borrowings are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred and are subsequently carried at amortized cost and updated using the effective interest rate method. Any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized in the Income statement over the period of the loan, using the effective interest rate method. The fees paid in obtaining the loan are recognized as transaction costs.

Loans and borrowing costs are capitalized as part of property, plants and equipment if those costs are directly related to a qualified asset. The capitalization occurs until the qualified asset is ready for its intended use. The average capitalization rate is 14%. Borrowing costs that are not capitalized are recognized in the income statement in the period in which they are incurred.

Some of the Company’s debt agreements with lenders contain financial covenants. The primary financial covenants in those agreements require maintaining certain ratios, such as debt to EBITDA and interest coverage. The Company has not identified any instances of noncompliance as at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Financial instruments classification

The Company classifies financial instruments based on its business model for managing the assets and the contractual cash flow characteristics of those assets. The business model test determines the classification based on the business purpose for holding the asset and whether the contractual cash flows represent only payments of principal and interest.

Financial instruments are measured at fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”) unless certain conditions are met that permit measurement at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”) or amortized cost. Gains and losses recorded in other comprehensive income for debt instruments are recognized in profit or loss only on disposal.

Investments in equity instruments are measured at FVTPL unless they are eligible to be measured at FVOCI, whose gains and losses are never recycled to profit or loss. Information about the Company’s exposure to credit risk is set out in note 33.

All financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred and are subsequently carried at amortized cost and updated using the effective interest rate method.Excepts for Participative stockholders' debentures and Derivative financial instruments that are measured at fair value through profit or loss.

Fair value estimate

Due to the short‑term cycle, it is assumed that the fair value of cash and cash equivalents balances, financial investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their book values. For the measurement and determination of fair value, the Company uses various methods including market, income or cost approaches, in order to estimate the value that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. The financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are classified and disclosed in accordance with the following levels:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices on an active, liquid and visible market for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date;

Level 2 - Quoted prices (adjusted or unadjusted) for identical or similar assets or liabilities on active markets; and

Level 3 - Assets and liabilities, for which quoted prices, do not exist, or where prices or valuation techniques are supported by little or no market activity, unobservable or illiquid.

Derivative financial instruments

The Company uses financial instruments to hedge its exposure to certain market risks arising from operational, financing and investing activities. Derivatives are included within financial assets or liabilities at fair value through profit or loss unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments.

At the beginning of the hedge operations, the Company documents the type of hedge, the relation between the hedging instrument and hedged items, its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking hedge operations. The Company also documents, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis that the hedge is expected to continue to be highly effective. The Company has elected to adopt the new general hedge accounting model in IFRS 9 and designates certain derivatives as either:

Cash flow hedge - The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognized in equity within "Unrealized fair value gain (losses)". The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the income statement. When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognized in profit or loss when the transaction is recognized in the income statement.

Net investment hedge - Hedges of net investments in foreign operations are accounted for similarly to cash flow hedges. Any gain or loss on the hedging instrument relating to the effective portion of the hedge is recognized in equity within "Cumulative translation adjustments". The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the income statement. Gains and losses accumulated in equity are included in the statement of income when the foreign operation is partially or fully disposed of or sold.

Derivatives at fair value through profit or loss - Certain derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of any of these derivative instruments are recognized immediately in the income statement.

Asset retirement obligations

When the provision is recognized, the corresponding cost is capitalized as part of property, plant and equipment and it is depreciated over the useful life of the related mining asset, resulting in an expense recognized in the income statement.

The long-term liability is discounted at presented value using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability and the unwinds are recorded in the income statement and is reduced by payments for mine closure and decommissioning of mining assets. The accrued amounts of these obligations are not deducted from the potential costs covered by insurance or indemnities.

Litigation

A provision is recognized when it is considered probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and can be reliably estimated. The liability is accounted against an expense in the income statement. This obligation is updated based on the developments of the judicial process or interest accretion and can be reversed if the expectation of loss is not considered probable due to changes in circumstances or when the obligation is settled.

Employee benefits

i. Current benefits - wages, vacations and related taxes

Payments of benefits such as wages or accrued vacation, as well the related social security taxes over those benefits are recognized monthly in income, on an accruals basis.

ii. Current benefits - profit sharing program

The Company has the Annual Incentive Program (AIP) based on Team and business unit’s contribution and Company‑wide performance through operational cash generation. The Company makes an accrual based on evaluation periodic of goals achieved and Company result, using the accrual basis and recognition of present obligation arising from past events in the estimated outflow of resources in the future. The accrual is recorded as cost of goods sold and services rendered or operating expenses in accordance with the activity of each employee.

iii. Non‑current benefits - long‑term incentive programs

The Company has established a procedure for awarding certain eligible executives (Matching and Virtual Shares Programs) with the goal of encouraging employee retention and optimum performance. Plan liabilities are measured at each reporting date, at their fair values, based on market prices. Obligations are measured at each reporting date, at fair values based on market prices. The compensation costs incurred are recognized in income during the vesting period as defined.

iv. Non‑current benefits - pension costs and other post‑retirement benefits

The Company has several retirement plans for its employees.

For defined contribution plans, the Company’s obligations are limited to a monthly contribution linked to a pre‑defined percentage of the remuneration of employees enrolled in to these plans.

For defined benefit plans, actuarial calculations are periodically obtained for liabilities determined in accordance with the Projected Unit Credit Method in order to estimate the Company’s obligation. The liability recognized in the statement of financial position represents the present value of the defined benefit obligation as at that date, less the fair value of plan assets. The Company recognized in the income statement the costs of services, the interest expense of the obligations and the interest income of the plan assets. The remeasurement of gains and losses, return on plan assets (excluding the amount of interest on return of assets, which is recognized in income for the year) and changes in the effect of the ceiling of the active and onerous liabilities are recognized in comprehensive income for the year.

For overfunded plans, the Company does not recognize any assets or benefits in the statement of financial position or income statement until such time as the use of the surplus is clearly defined. For underfunded plans, the Company recognizes actuarial liabilities and results arising from the actuarial valuation.

Stockholders' equity

Stockholder’s remuneration - The stockholder’s remuneration is paid on dividends and interest on capital. This remuneration is recognized as a liability in the financial statements of the Company based on bylaws. Any amount above the minimum mandatory remuneration approved by the by-laws shall only be recognized in current liabilities on the date that is approved by stockholders.

The Company is permitted to distribute interest attributable to stockholders’ equity. The calculation is based on the stockholders’ equity amounts as stated in the statutory accounting records and the interest rate applied may not exceed the Brazilian Government Long-term Interest Rate (“TJLP”) determined by the Central Bank of Brazil. Also, such interest may not exceed 50% of the net income for the year or 50% of retained earnings plus profit reserves as determined by Brazilian corporate law.

The benefit to the Company, as opposed to making a dividend payment, is a reduction in the income tax burden because this interest charge is tax deductible in Brazil. Income tax of 15% is withheld on behalf of the stockholders relative to the interest distribution. Under Brazilian law, interest attributed to stockholders’ equity is considered as part of the annual minimum mandatory dividend. This notional interest distribution is treated for accounting purposes as a deduction from stockholders' equity in a manner similar to a dividend and the tax deductibility recorded in the income statement.