Overview
| Stage | Production |
| Mine Type | Open Pit |
| Commodities |
|
| Mining Method |
|
| Production Start | ...  |
| Mine Life | 2120 |
The Southern System consists of two mining complexes and two maritime terminals. Two major mining complexes: Vargem Grande (five mines and five major beneficiation plants) and Paraopeba (five mines and three major beneficiation plants). |
Source:
p. 43
| Company | Interest | Ownership |
|
Vale S.A.
(operator)
|
100 %
|
Indirect
|
Contractors
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Summary:
Vale's Southern System consists of iron deposits located in the Quadrilatero Femfero (Iron Quadrangle), in the south central part of the State of Minas Gerais.
Ore reserves with high ratios of itabirite ore relative to hematite ore type. Itabirite ore has iron grade of 35-60%.
The Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF) comprises an area of about 7000 km2 and hosts one of the largest concentrations of lateritic iron-ore deposits in the world. The QF is located in central Minas Gerais state, southeastern region of Brazil (Dorr, 1965). The QF has a quadrangular shape due to the dome and basin structures of the Minas Supergroup. Most of the iron ore in the QF are hosted in the oxidized, metamorphosed and heterogeneously deformed Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) of the Cauê Formation, the so-called itabirites. The BIFs are altered sedimentary deposits with laminated rocks formed by alternating layers of silica and hematite magnetite, as well as carbonates and iron silicates.
The Quadrilátero Ferrífero is located at the southeastern border of the São Francisco Craton, southeastern Brazil. According to Alkmim and Marshak (1998) the most important lithostratigraphic units of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero are: (1) the Archean crystalline basement, (2) the Rio das Velhas Supergroup, (3) the Minas Supergroup, (4) the Post-Minas Intrusives and (5) the Itacolomi Group.
The main iron ore types in the Iron Quadrangle are:
Hematite: Hematite represents ........
Summary:
The Southern System are open-pit mining operations that are located at Iron Quadrangle, State of Minas Gerais in Brazil and include two mining complexes Vargem Grande and Paraopeba.
Vargem Grande complex includes Sapecado, Galinheiro, Tamanduá, Capitão do Mato, Abóboras mines and five major beneficiation plants.
Paraopeba complex includes João Pereira and Segredo, Mar Azul, Capão Xavier mines and three major beneficiation plants.
Ore extraction is conducted via open pit truck and shovel method. Mined ore has high ratios of itabirite ore relative to hematite ore type. Itabirite ore type has iron grade of 35-60%. Part of the ore is concentrated to achieve shipping grade and part is shipped and blended in Asia with the high-grade ore from Northern System.
Flow Sheet:
Summary:
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Production:
| Commodity | Units | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|
Iron Ore
|
kt
| ...... | ...... | ...... | ...... | 84,100 | 86,400 | 95,700 |
All production numbers are expressed as concentrate.
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Operational Metrics:
| Metrics | 2021 |
|
Annual production capacity
| ...... |
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Reserves at December 31, 2022:
| Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade |
|
Proven
|
718.8 Mt
|
Iron
|
48.5 %
|
|
Probable
|
2,579 Mt
|
Iron
|
46.1 %
|
|
Proven & Probable
|
3,297 Mt
|
Iron
|
46.6 %
|
|
Measured
|
2,529 Mt
|
Iron
|
43 %
|
|
Indicated
|
3,334 Mt
|
Iron
|
39.9 %
|
|
Measured & Indicated
|
5,863 Mt
|
Iron
|
41.2 %
|
|
Inferred
|
4,121 Mt
|
Iron
|
38.1 %
|
Heavy Mobile Equipment as of September 9, 2021:
| HME Type | Model | Size |
|
Excavator
|
.......................
|
|
|
Truck (haul)
|
|
32 t
|
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Corporate Filings & Presentations:
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