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Brazil

Itabira Complex

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Overview

Mine TypeOpen Pit
StatusActive
Commodities
  • Iron Ore
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
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SnapshotThe Itabira integrated operation includes Conceição and Minas do Meio mines and three major beneficiation plants.

The complex is in the process of obtaining or renewing certain environmental permits, including influence area study for caves and dams and waste and tailings storage facilities permit.
Related Asset

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Vale S.A. (operator) 100 % Indirect
The Itabira complex is 100% owned and operated by Vale S.A.

Contractors

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Deposit type

  • Banded iron formation

Summary:

The Southeastern System mines are located in the Quadrilatero Femfero (Iron Quadrangle).

Ore reserves with high ratios of itabirite ore relative to hematite ore type. Itabirite ore has iron grade of 35-60%.

The Itabira complex is located in the northeastern corner of the Quadrilatero Femfero (Iron Quadrangle). It is enclosed by a local geologic structure that appears separated from the regional Iron Formation. The geologic structure consists of a 14-kilometer long, NE-trending range that shows three main synclines at both extremes (Conceicao and Caue) and middle (Minas do Meio) sections. The synclines branch out to the west from the general structure, and have created appropriate conditions to hold massive concentrations of the iron mineralization.

High-grade ores of Hematite and Itabirite, in continuous occurrence, are extracted along the structure, from the Conceicao mine at the southwest end to the Caue mine in the NE side of the range. The ore reserves at the Caue have been depleted. The Minas do Meio mine consists of numerous deposits located along the geologic structure, such as the Corpo D, Periquito, Dois Corregos, Onca, and Chacrinha.

The main iron ore types in the Iron Quadrangle are:

Hematite: Hematite represents the high-grade ore type within the iron deposit. The iron content varies from 65 to 67 percent. It is either massive or foliated in nature. The hematite is classified according to its physical and chemical characteristics as Compact Hematite, Friable Hematite, and Goethitic / Argilitic Hematite. Its origin is related to hydrothermal or metasomatic processes.

Itabirite: Itabirite is a term widely used in Brazil to denote a metamorphosed iron formation composed of iron oxides (hematite, magnetite, and martite), abundant quartz, very rarely mica, and other accessory minerals. It may be foliated or compact. The un-enriched (poor) itabirites from the Quadrilatero Ferrffero tend to have little magnetite, and composed principally of quartz-hematite, quartz-hematite-carbonate and hematite-carbonate. Itabirite represents the majority of reserves and resources of the Iron Quadrangle deposits. According to Vale, it was originated by silica leaching and residual iron-oxide enrichment process during post-metamorphic weathering cycles. The iron content averages about 45 percent, and occasionally it may reach up to 60 percent. The Itabirite ore is classified according to its physical and chemical characteristics as Compact Itabirite, Friable Itabirite, Goethitic / Argilitic Itabirite or Ochre.

Canga: Canga ore consists of unconsolidated talus material formed by the weathering of the iron formation. The iron content ranges significantly, with generally high concentration of phosphorous and alumina.

Rolados: A second detrital mineralization type. Consists of a ferruginous or lateritic matrix with fragments and blocks of different materials such as hematite, itabirite, quartz; high Fe grade, with high contaminant levels, such as P and Al203.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

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Processing

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Production

CommodityUnits202320222021202020192018201720162015
Iron Ore kt  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe35,90041,70037,80033,40035,500
All production numbers are expressed as concentrate.

Operational metrics

Metrics20232015
Ore tonnes mined  ....  Subscribe
Annual production capacity  ....  Subscribe16.5 Mt of iron ore pellets
Annual production capacity  ....  Subscribe7.2 Mt of iron ore sinter

Production Costs

Commodity production costs have not been reported.

Heavy Mobile Equipment

Fleet data has not been reported.

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 15, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 21, 2024
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....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 21, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 7, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 15, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 21, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 7, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 15, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 21, 2024

Aerial view:

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