GEOMECHANICS / GROUND CONTROL

Vale looks at tailings disposal alternatives for Brucutu

Vale has warned of a likely impact on 2020 iron ore fines production if it can’t shore up a short-term option to double restricted capacity at its major Brucutu operation in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state

Staff reporter
Vale warns of possible impact on 2020 iron ore output

Vale warns of possible impact on 2020 iron ore output

The mine has been operating at about 40% of its capacity, using wet processing and tailings filtration, since its Norte-Laranjeiras tailings dam was given an emergency level 1 rating in December.

Brucutu has an annual capacity of about 30 million tonnes but was beset by numerous suspensions last year, as the company faced increased scrutiny following its fatal dam collapse at Brumadinho in Minas Gerais in January 2019 which killed 270 people.

"Short-term alternatives for tailings disposal, such as the optimised use of the Sul dam, are being tested by geotechnical and operational teams and may increase Brucutu plant's processing capacity to 80%," Vale said.

It said if the alternatives or dam reclassification were not achieved by the end of the June quarter, there would likely be an impact on 2020 fines production volume, which has been estimated at 340-355Mt.

However, the miner reiterated its priority was the safety of its employees and the communities downstream of its operations, as well as the safety of all its structures.

Vale said yesterday following the Engineer of Record's assessment, it had received 78 positive stability condition declaration (DCEs); however, nine dams remained at emergency levels 2 and 3 requiring evacuation zones, and 18 structures had emergency level 1 ratings.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations using autonomous solutions in every region and sector, including analysis of the factors driving investment decisions

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2023 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of current exploration rates, trending exploration technologies, a ranking of top drill intercepts and a catalog of 2022 Initial Resource Estimates and recent discovery successes.