BULKS

Vale looking at ways to increase Brucutu production

Vale SA (BZ: VALE3) has warned of a likely impact on 2020 iron ore fines production if it can’t shore up a short-term option to double restricted capacity at its major Brucutu operation in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state.

Staff reporter
 Vale warns of possible impact on 2020 iron ore output

Vale warns of possible impact on 2020 iron ore output

The mine has been operating at about 40% of its capacity, using wet processing and tailings filtration, since its Norte-Laranjeiras tailings dam was given an emergency level 1 rating in December.

Brucutu has an annual capacity of about 30 million tonnes but was beset by numerous suspensions last year, as the company faced increased scrutiny following its fatal dam collapse at Brumadinho in Minas Gerais in January 2019 which killed 270 people.

"Short-term alternatives for tailings disposal, such as the optimised use of the Sul dam, are being tested by geotechnical and operational teams and may increase Brucutu plant's processing capacity to 80%," Vale said.

It said if the alternatives or dam reclassification were not achieved by the end of the June quarter, there would likely be an impact on 2020 fines production volume, which has been estimated at 340-355Mt.

However the miner reiterated its priority was the safety of its employees and the communities downstream of its operations, as well as the safety of all its structures.

Vale said yesterday following the Engineer of Record's assessment, it had received 78 positive stability condition declaration (DCEs), however nine dams remained at emergency levels 2 and 3 requiring evacuation zones, and 18 structures had emergency level 1 ratings.

Vale's shares last traded at BRL43.47, near the middle of its 52-week range, capitalising it at 229.2 billion (US$43 billion).

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Mining Equities Report 2023

Access an exclusive, inside look on the quarterly mining IPOs and secondary raisings data and mining equities performance tables with an annual Stock Exchange Comparisons supplement.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2023 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 121 jurisdictions globally, built on 11 ‘hard risk’ metrics and an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2023: Social licence

Gain insights into social licence trends and best practices from interviews with 20+ top mining company executives and an industrywide survey.