Brazil's Vale to hold public hearing on US$500mn copper project

Brazilian miner Vale announced a public hearing as part of the process to advance its Bacaba copper project in Canaã dos Carajás in northern state Pará.

The hearing will take place on October 31 when the company will discuss details of the project with local residents.

"The Bacaba project is a new copper operation that will use the infrastructure of the Sossego unit, guaranteeing its operation for at least another eight years. This will contribute to the local economy, preserve jobs and create new opportunities for Canaã dos Carajás," Vale said in a statement.

"The project involves mining activities and transportation of ore for crushing and processing at the Sossego operational unit, located approximately 10km from the Bacaba deposit. The project is in the environmental licensing process for mining and transporting copper ore, and the area designated for implementation is owned by Vale," it added. 

In 2023, during a meeting with Canaã dos Carajás councilors, Vale representatives said the project involves investment of US$500mn, including roads, bridges and extraction areas. 

The project is one of Vale’s initiatives to increase production of copper and nickel, metals associated with the energy transition.

OPERATIONS RESUME 

Separately, Vale and Ero Copper announced the resumption of operations at two mines in Pará state.

The firms halted operations at the mines earlier this month after strong winds disrupted energy supplies. 

Vale resumed operations at the Onça Puma nickel plant in Ourilândia do Norte and Ero Copper resumed works at the Tucumã copper operation in the same area.

"With power now restored, the company has safely resumed the ramp-up of milling, flotation, and filtration circuits within the processing plant," Vancouver-based Ero Copper said in a statement.