Mining company Vale has begun commissioning the Gelado Project in Carajás, Brazil, which reuses tailings to produce high-quality pellet feed, while using 100% electric dredges to extract the material and avoid CO2 emissions.
The tailings which have an ore grade of a high 63%, have been deposited in the Gelado dam since 1985, when Vale began operating in the region.
The project has an initial production capacity of 5 million tons per year, with a goal of 10 million tons per year after a conversion of Carajás Plant 1 to natural humidity processing. The pellets output from this project will be input into the company’s pelletizing plant in São Luís in the state of Maranhão, Brazil.
“The high quality of the pellets manufactured at the site contributes to reducing carbon emissions for steelmaking customers when compared with lower quality products,” Vale said in a statement.
Vale has a target of reducing its scope 3 emissions by 15% by 2035.
The electric dredges in the project, as well as electric pumps, will use electricity from renewable sources rather than fossil fuels such as diesel.
This is part of Vale’s initiatives to achieve its carbon emission targets, including a goal of zero net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050.
Vale is also developing solutions for the circular economy and waste valorization, such as using sandy tailings to pave roads and creating sustainable sand for civil construction.
Source: Press Release
Image Source: Vale