Description of risks related to water management, strategies and practices to mitigate these risks

The Belo Monte Water Resources Management Plan aims to monitor the project’s impacts on surface and groundwater resources and propose mitigation actions, if necessary, in accordance with Law No. 9433/1997, Conama 357/2005, Conama 396/2008, in addition to the IFC Performance Standards.   

The use of water in Norte Energia’s activities depends on due permits from the Regulatory Environmental Authorities, that is, all water consumption is regulated and authorized according to their respective concessions. Specifically for the use of groundwater, the issuance of these permits is the responsibility of the Environment and Sustainability Department of the State of Pará, while the consumption of surface water, its use for hydroelectric power generation and the disposal of effluents in federal water bodies are a responsibility of the National Water and Sanitation Agency.   

The Company frequently monitors the quality/quantity of water and liquid effluents, in addition to monitoring compliance with the environmental conditions of water use rights or liquid effluent disposal concessions. The results of this monitoring are presented in internal and external audits and reported annually to Ibama.   

The main risks related to Water Management are related to changes in biodiversity and water quality, as well as changes in water availability and erosion of reservoir banks.  Norte Energia adopts risk control mechanisms related to the use of water resources, namely, IN-PR-023/2019 Corporate Risk Management.