Company has loaded 200 ships since the resumption of operations
Samarco reached, on Monday (Jun-19), the milestone of 20 million tons of iron ore pellets produced since the resumption of operations in December 2020. During this period, 200 ships were loaded. The company has resumed its operations without the use of tailings dams, and expects to reach 60% of production capacity by 2025.
“We evaluate this performance in positively for our business. The continuity of operations is also an opportunity for us to share value with society. For this year, our production is expected to reach approximately 9 million tons of iron ore pellets and fines, which means a 10% increase compared to the volume produced in the previous two years. Good practices show us that it is possible to do mining differently, safer and more sustainably, in line with our purpose,” said Operations Director Sérgio Mileipe.
According to the commercial and marketing general manager, Renato Pereira, Samarco has consolidated its return to the market since the operational resumption. “More than numbers, in addition to achieving the company's operational stability, we have re-established and strengthened relations with our customers even more. We provide high quality products whose added value provides greater efficiency and performance in steel production, also contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases, such as CO2", emphasized Renato.
Samarco's products are part of the production chain of important steel companies in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the Americas, in addition to the domestic market. The forecast is that the full resumption of production capacity will be achieved safely by 2028.
For this year alone, the company's investments are around BRL 1.6 billion. In addition to sustaining the business, funds are earmarked for the project to de-characterize the Germano pit and dam (construction works at an advanced stage) and innovation projects.
Sustainable development
Samarco invests in innovative technologies for sustainable development. Among the actions, the company's pioneering spirit in the use of marble mining residues in the production of iron ore pellets, as a complementary alternative to limestone, stands out. Currently, 30% of the pellets produced have marble co-products. Since the approval of the co-product in October 2022, more than 21,000 tons of the material have been purchased. Among the many benefits are the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption, in addition to the positive impacts on pellet quality.
Dry Stacking
With an investment of approximately R$ 19 million, the project consists of building a new filtering plant and experimental landfills for a comprehensive analysis of the best ways of disposal and the geotechnical behavior of the tailings piles. Since the gradual resumption of operations, Samarco has been operating with a filtering and dry stacking system for around 80% of the waste generated. Dry Stacking is an R&D (Research and Development) project that will allow the company to reach the mark of 100% dry waste disposed of in piles.
