Miners advance plans to cut Brazil greenhouse gas emissions

Major miners with operations in Brazil are investing in reductions of their greenhouse gas emissions.

Vale, the country’s largest iron ore producer, concluded tests for an iron ore briquette that emits 80% less CO2 and will help decarbonize steel production.

"With the development of this new type of briquette, Vale is taking another important step in its contribution to reducing emissions from the steelmaking chain through innovation, always in close collaboration with its clients and development partners," product and business development director Rogério Nogueira said in a statement.

In one test, the new product outperformed pellets in metallization, reaching metallic iron content of around 98%, while normal pellets reach 95%. The result suggests this new type could improve productivity.

Vale is building two 6Mt/y briquette plants at its Tubarão unit in Espírito Santo state. The first plant should start operations in June and the second in December.

ANGLO AMERICAN

Meanwhile, Anglo American's natural gas-fueled vessel MV Ubuntu Loyalty (pictured) made its inaugural voyage docking at the iron ore port terminal managed by Anglo American-Prumo Logística JV Ferroport, Rio de Janeiro state.

“This innovation is a milestone for the entire Anglo American group and is in direct dialogue with our sustainable mining plan, which aims, among its various objectives, to be carbon neutral by 2040, taking into account the direct emissions of the business and fuel consumed,” country manager Wilfred Bruijn said in a statement.

With its final destination being China, the vessel received 175,000t of iron ore from Anglo American's Minas-Rio facility.

“This is also a memorable moment at Ferroport, as it is the first LNG vessel received by the terminal. The ore crossed one of the largest pipelines in the world, 529km long, to be shipped to Asia. This ship is in line with our commitment to safe and sustainable operations,” Ferroport CEO Carsten Bosselmann said.

INVESTMENTS 

Of the US$50bn expected to be invested in the mining sector by 2027, US$6.5bn is earmarked for socio-environmental initiatives. This value is 55% higher compared to the 2022-26 cycle, according to mining association Ibram.