December 04, 2015 (Shareholders Foundation) - An investigation on behalf of investors of Vale SA (ADR) (NYSE:VALE) shares over potential securities laws violations by Vale SA and certain of its directors and officers in connection certain financial statements was announced.

The investigation by a law firm focuses on possible claims on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Vale SA (ADR) (NYSE:VALE) concerning whether a series of statements by Vale S.A. regarding its business, its prospects and its operations were materially false and misleading at the time they were made.

Vale SA reported that while its annual Total Revenue declined from over $48.03 billion in 2013 to over $38.55 billion in 2014 its Net Income increased from $599.81 million in 2013 to $674.79 million in 2014.

On November 27, 2015, the Brazilian government issued a statement indicating it would sue Vale SA, its Anglo-Australian partner BHP Billiton Limited and their joint venture Samarco Minerao SA in response to a catastrophic dam failure earlier this month. The dam failure displaced hundreds of Brazilians and contaminated the Rio Doce River with a toxic waste.

Shares of Vale SA (ADR) (NYSE:VALE) declined from as high as $36.15 per share in early 2011 to as low as $3.20 per share on December 2, 2015.

On December 4, 2015, NYSE:VALE shares closed at $3.28 per share.