More than 7.5 million tons of iron ore pellets and fines were produced by Samarco from January to November this year, an increase of 5.6% compared to the same period last year. 77 ships were loaded. Operating at 26% of production capacity, the company invested more than BRL 1.1 billion in the same period to sustain operations, continue the works to de-characterize the Germano dam and pit, among others. By October, more than BRL 915 million had been generated in taxes from the company itself and those generated in the acquisition of goods, materials and services from suppliers. By the end of 2022, taxes should total BRL 1.1 billion, including the projection for the last two months.
For 2023, the company plans to produce between 8 and 9 million tons (+10%) with investments of BRL 1.6 billion, of which BRL 721 million for the de-characterization works, in an advanced stage. The full resumption of production capacity is expected to occur gradually and safely by 2028.
“In this second year of our resumption, we achieved the company's operational stability, exceeding performance expectations, achieving more efficiency and competitive operating costs. At the same time, we have consolidated our way back to market and our relationships with strategic clients. In 2023, we want to evolve even further in order to continue with our purpose of carrying out mining differently,” said Samarco's CEO, Rodrigo Vilela.
Main initiatives
Among the highlights of this year, Samarco inaugurated the Integrated Operations Center (COI) integrating areas of planning, operations, asset management, among others to reinforce operational and process safety.
Moreover, the company has been investing in the Dry Stacking project for the construction of a filtration plant and experimental landfills to review the best ways of disposal and the geotechnical behavior of the stacks, in the Germano Complex, in Mariana (MG).
This year, the company launched the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program. Affirmative vacancies were distributed among women, young black people and people with special needs. The expectation is that the actions will be expanded in 2023.
Through Força Local, which contributes to the socioeconomic development of the territories where the company operates, Samarco disbursed approximately BRL 480 million in purchases from local suppliers. In 2022, 112 companies were certified in the Pillar Development and Qualification of Local Suppliers.
“This performance is the result of planning and strengthening of our values, especially respect for people and focusing on safety”, evaluated Vilela.
Remediation
The company reiterates its commitment to full compensation for damages and remains open to dialogue with public agencies in search of a solution for renegotiating previously signed agreements, in order to speed up and make actions more effective. By October, over BRL 25.79 billion had been allocated for remediation, including compensation for more than 407,700 people, through Renova Foundation.
Samarco
It is a joint venture owned by Vale and BHP Brasil, which started operations in 1977. It is a pioneer in Brazil in the mining of low-grade iron ore and in the transportation of slurry by pipeline. It is a fully integrated enterprise, with two operating units: the Germano Complex, in Mariana (MG) and the Ubu Complex, in Anchieta (ES). Its main product is iron ore pellets, the raw material for steel production in the steel industry.