Editor's Note: Mining Journal is making some of its most important coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic freely available to readers. For more coverage, please see our COVID-19 hub. To subscribe to Mining Journal, click here

In collaboration with Brazil hospitals Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein and Rede Mater Dei de Saúde, the company is offering direct investment of US$1 million or in-kind support via partners to speed implementation of a winning idea.

"The whole world is fighting against COVID-19, and Vale - as a global company - wants to be a catalyst and connector of solutions to reduce the impacts of this crisis, using open innovation as a means," said Alexandre Mosquim from Vale's Open Innovation team.

Any new answers need to be documented and legally validated before gaining necessary approvals for implementation.

Vale said the initiative was part of its 'New Pact with Society' that sought positive impacts beyond taxes and standard social projects.

The company is accepting applications until April 5 through the website: www.vale.com/covid19challenge, with a winner to be announced by April 24.