{"id":97244,"date":"2013-01-22T19:14:10","date_gmt":"2013-01-22T21:14:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/?p=97244"},"modified":"2013-01-22T19:16:06","modified_gmt":"2013-01-22T21:16:06","slug":"mining-expansion-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/mining-expansion-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Mining expansion"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"marcio nunes<\/span>

From left to right, Regina Bronstein, Sandoval Carneiro, Roberto Dal\u2019Agnol, Cl\u00e1udia Diniz, Luiz Eug\u00eanio Mello, Jos\u00e9 Oswaldo Siqueira and Hugo Resende, all of whom are affiliated with the Vale Technological Institutemarcio nunes<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Published in August 2012<\/em><\/p>\n

In seventy years, Vale has grown from a small mining company in the town of Itabira, in the State of Minas Gerais, to the world\u2019s leading global iron ore producer and the world\u2019s second largest producer of nickel. With business operations in 38 countries on five continents, the company is also involved in the logistics business, including railways, port terminals, cabotage, energy, and fertilizers. The company\u2019s outstanding success is based on enormous investments in state-of-the-art technology and in research and innovation. The immediate needs of clients are supported by three research and development centers, including two centers in Brazil and one center in Canada. Other long-term research projects in several areas are conducted at the Vale Technological Institute (ITV), which was founded in 2009.<\/p>\n

The initial conversations about the creation of a non-profit institute began in 2007. However, the project only gained momentum at the end of 2008, when neurophysiologist Luiz Eug\u00eanio Mello was hired as the executive director of ITV. At that time, Mello was the dean of undergraduate studies at the Federal University of S\u00e3o Paulo (Unifesp). \u201cLast year, Vale invested US$ 1.7 billion in R&D. Of this amount, nearly R$ 23 million went to ITV,\u201d states Mello, who is also a former assistant coordinator of FAPESP\u2019s Scientific Director\u2019s Office. In 2011, at US$ 22.8 billion, the mining company\u2019s net profit was 32% higher than it had been in 2010.<\/p>\n

Since it was founded, ITV has entered into 97 R&D agreements and has established partnerships with 36 national and international institutions, including Embrapa, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Switzerland\u2019s Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne. The institute also has partnerships with FAPESP and with the research foundations of the states of Minas Gerais and Par\u00e1. These entities have provided ITV with funds of R$ 120 million, which have been allocated to research projects in the fields of mining, energy, and ecoefficiency.<\/p>\n

\"\"Vale<\/span>

Taquari Mine in the State of Sergipe: exploiting potassiumVale<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Two research units with different research objectives \u2013 sustainable development in Belem, in the State of Par\u00e1, and mining in Ouro Preto, in the State of Minas Gerais \u2013conduct research studies in the fields of climate change, water management, sustainability in the mining industry, biodiversity, energy, and environmental monitoring technology. These fields were defined as priorities at workshops that were organized by Vale in 2010 and attended by researchers from several institutions who are experts in their respective fields of study.<\/p>\n

The ITV Sustainable Development unit is headed by Luiz Carlos de Lima Silveira, a physician and neuroscientist who assumed the position of scientific director of the unit in 2010. Currently, 33 researchers from a variety of fields are conducting research on six different topics: biodiversity, including soil microbiology and plant biotechnology; climate change; water management; bioenergy and photosynthesis; sustainable mining; and environmental monitoring. Two other fields \u2013 sustainable architecture and urban planning in the Amazon region and sustainomics, which is defined as the science of sustainable development \u2013 are also being researched.<\/p>\n

Silveira, who created the postgraduate program in neuroscience and cell biology at the Federal University of Par\u00e1 (Ufpa), defines his current work as a continuation of his academic experience: \u201cI gained administrative experience during my career as a researcher and implemented two research groups: one focusing on the basic sciences and the other, on the neuroscience of tropical medicine.\u201d Silveira explains. \u201cThese credentials enabled me to take on my current job.\u201d Silveira has a medical degree from Ufpa, as well as a master\u2019s degree and a doctorate in biophysics from the University of Rio do Janeiro (UFRJ). He did his postdoctoral work in neuroscience at Oxford University, England.<\/p>\n

An urban phenomenon<\/strong>
\nIn Silveira\u2019s opinion, the creation of a research group in Brazil requires a number of skills, especially when the focus is the Amazon region, which has many regional disparities and must be integrated with the other regions in the country. At ITV in Bel\u00e9m, more than 10 research projects are being conducted in collaboration with local institutions, such as Ufpa and Embrapa Amaz\u00f4nia Oriental, and international institutions, such as Belgium\u2019s Flanders Biotechnology Institute and Israel\u2019s Weizmann Institute of Science.<\/p>\n

\"\"Salviano Machado\/Vale<\/span>

Iron ore storage area at Caraj\u00e1sSalviano Machado\/Vale<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The choice of Bel\u00e9m as one of the physical locations of the research network was strategic; the city is the capital of the State of Par\u00e1, where Vale has a large iron ore mining operation in the Caraj\u00e1s mountain range. Bel\u00e9m has two million inhabitants. The mines in Caraj\u00e1s alone account for 36% of the iron ore that is currently produced by Vale. In 2011, Vale\u2019s iron ore production totaled 322.6 million tons. According to Silveira, \u201cBel\u00e9m is a big city that lies geographically and temporally on the frontier between the Amazon Region and the Atlantic Ocean; the region\u2019s enormous biodiversity has to be studied.\u201d Two research projects are at an advanced stage. One is the Urbis project, which focuses on urban planning and is dedicated to the urban development in the western part of the Amazon region. The other project focuses on the climate-related effects of Vale\u2019s mining operations.<\/p>\n

The Urbis project is coordinated by Ana Cl\u00e1udia Cardoso and space engineer Antonio Miguel Monteiro, who is employed by the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe). \u201cOur plan is to work on a multidisciplinary vision of the urban phenomenon of Par\u00e1,\u201d states Cardoso, who has a degree in architecture and urban planning from Ufpa, a master\u2019s degree in urban planning from the University of Bras\u00edlia (UnB) and a doctorate in architecture from Oxford Brookes University in England. The researchers want to understand how major economic activities such as mining, animal husbandry, and timber exploitation are influencing not only the capital city but also the medium-sized and small towns in forest conversion areas and the villages along highways and river banks. The project participants include economists, urban planners and ecologists from institutions such as the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), and the Get\u00falio Vargas Foundation. The participants will use specific tools to analyze occupation levels in the state. According to Cardoso, \u201cMigration rates in some municipal regions of Par\u00e1 are four times higher than in other regions of Brazil because of the investment dynamics of Vale and the influence of farming and cattle ranching.\u201d<\/p>\n

The research team working on climate change is comprised of a physicist and two meteorologists. It is coordinated by Luiz Gylvan Meira Filho, the former president of the Brazilian Space Agency. Lu\u00eds Ant\u00f4nio Lacerda A\u00edmola has been a member of the team since he left Israel to move to Bel\u00e9m. In Israel, Lu\u00eds Ant\u00f4nio worked as a researcher in the field of climate change and modeling. He has a degree in physics from Unicamp and a doctorate in environmental sciences from the University of S\u00e3o Paulo (USP); he did his postdoctoral work at the Weizmann Institute. \u201cI was attracted by the company\u2019s innovative vision, which led it to create a center of excellence in research focused on the field of sustainable development, and by the possibility of conducting long-term research projects,\u201d explains A\u00edmola.<\/p>\n

Climate events<\/strong>
\nSince May of 2011, he has been working on a project that seeks to connect the possible physical changes in the tropical region\u2019s rainfall regime due to global warming with the economic elements of climate models. \u201cIf significant changes occur, they can change the dynamics of the Amazon Forest,\u201d he states. Because mining depends on rainfall regimes, mining operations can be jeopardized by extreme climate events. \u201cI am working on the physical aspects of climate, as well as on possible future climatic effects on the economies of tropical regions,\u201d A\u00edmola explains. One of the meteorologists on the team is studying the effects of climate change on Vale\u2019s operations in the eastern Amazon region. The other meteorologist is constructing a climate model for the Amazon region.<\/p>\n

\"\"Vale <\/span>

Experiments at the Mineral Development Center in Minas GeraisVale <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

ITV Minera\u00e7\u00e3o is in the process of being established in the city of Ouro Preto in Minas Gerais. The priority fields are infrastructure, metallurgy, mineral processing and exploitation, prospecting and geology, and water resources. One of the projects is coordinated by agronomic engineer Jos\u00e9 Oswaldo Siqueira, who is also a retired professor from the Federal University of Lavras (Ufla). He was hired by ITV one year ago to work on technology for manufacturing fertilizers. \u201cAgriculture starts with mining,\u201d Siqueira explains. The raw materials extracted from the rocks are used to produce fertilizers. \u201cOur biggest challenge,\u201d he says, \u201cis to bring the requirements of agriculture and food production to a mining company.\u201d Siqueira has a degree from the School of Agriculture of Lavras (which is currently known as Ufla) as well as a master\u2019s degree and a doctorate from the University of Florida. He did his postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan. Siqueira argues that because of this connection between agriculture and mining, it is necessary to seek new technological processes that can increase the efficiency of the extraction of raw materials and thus make it possible to obtain high-quality, environmentally friendly products.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the technology used to make fertilizers nowadays was developed between 1950 and 1970,\u201d Siqueira explains. This stagnation has been caused by a lack of interest on the part of developed nations, by farm policies and by the historically low price of fertilizer. However, the situation has changed in the last five years. Brazil must now increase the technological competence of the entire production chain.<\/p>\n

The Mining Frontier<\/strong>
\n\u201cThis is a strategic issue, because the country imports approximately two-thirds of the fertilizers it consumes,\u201d states Siqueira. Phosphate, for example, is essential for agricultural production, but the worldwide reserves of this mineral are extremely limited. Vale produces fertilizers such as phosphate and potassium, but its aim is to become a major producer of raw materials for fertilizers on a global scale. Toward this end, the company has invested heavily in Brazil and in Africa, Peru, Argentina and Canada, acquiring mines and companies. In addition to developing fertilizer production technology, ITV Minera\u00e7\u00e3o is working on eleven other research areas, one of which is the mining frontier of the ocean floor. This research is being conducted in partnership with Ufla, USP, and universities such as Australia\u2019s Queensland University of Technology.<\/p>\n

\"\"Salviano Machado\/Vale<\/span>

Mine\u2019s current processing area is displayedSalviano Machado\/Vale<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

After working for 25 years at Embraer, aeronautics engineer Hugo Resende accepted the invitation extended to him in October of 2011, when he was asked to organize a department that would focus on an incubator for technology start-ups linked to the ITV. \u201cThe challenge is to identify new, technology-based business start-up opportunities based on research studies conducted not only at ITV but also at Vale\u2019s other research centers,\u201d explains. Resende, who has a degree from the Aeronautics Technology Institute (ITA) as well as a master\u2019s degree and a doctorate from Stanford University. At Embraer, Resende worked on aircraft development and aeronautical software. Prior to becoming the chief scientist responsible for the company\u2019s partnerships with universities and for identifying projects of interest to the company, he worked as a technological development manager.<\/p>\n

Resende accepted Vale\u2019s invitation because he envisioned it as a new challenge. \u201cIdentifying opportunities and transforming them into business was a missing element in my professional experience,\u201d says Resende, who also held several positions on the executive board of the National Association of R&D at Innovative Companies (Anpei) and was the president of this association in 2006. The start-up incubator is expected to become operational in 2013. This activity is being integrated into the MIT model, which was chosen as a point of reference for the process that created ITV. According to Mello, \u201cMIT\u2019s focus is to transfer technology to companies and to train entrepreneurs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Immediate Response<\/strong>
\nThree large laboratories are responsible for addressing technological needs that require immediate responses. The Mineral Development Center (CDM) and the Ferrous Technology Center (CTF) are located in Minas Gerais. The third laboratory, which is dedicated to nickel and base metal technology, is located in Canada. Founded in 1965, the CDM is considered to have made the company\u2019s first technological advancement by developing its own technology for processing minerals with low iron ore content. The company developed this technology in the 1960s, which enabled Vale to extend the life of its mines. The CTF, which was created in 2007, conducts research on the entire iron ore chain from mining to steel. \u201cOur work focuses on the steel industry,\u201d explains metallurgical engineer Rog\u00e9rio Carneiro, who is the general manager of the CTF and has an undergraduate degree and a master\u2019s degree from UFMG. \u201cSeveral laboratories and mathematical models that simulate steel manufacturing processes enable us to develop solutions for our clients,\u201d states Carneiro, who has worked for Vale since 2001. Before joining Vale, he worked for 17 years at a Brazilian steel company, coordinating research on iron ore, sintering, and blast furnaces. Of the CTF lab\u2019s 120 employees and contractors, 30 are researchers with master\u2019s or doctoral degrees, including metallurgical engineers, mining engineers, and geologists. Using these labs and models, one can test items ranging from different processing routes to the behavior of the iron ore in steel mills. According to Carneiro, \u201cCTF has equipment that simulates a steel mill.\u201d<\/p>\n

The innovative technologies that are used to produce iron ore distinguish Vale from other companies and have helped to secure the company\u2019s outstanding position within the international community. One example of such innovative technologies is the transportation of iron ore using bulldozers and mobile stone crushers rather than trucks. This mode of transportation is being used as part of a project for Caraj\u00e1s known as S11D. The bulldozers and stone crushers will extract the iron ore and transport it to the processing unit. \u201cThe processing of iron ore, based on its own natural humidity, with no added water, is another technology that will minimize environmental impact,\u201d explains mining engineer Stephen Potter, director of Integrated Planning and Technological Development at Vale. Potter has an undergraduate degree and a master\u2019s degree from London\u2019s Royal School of Mines. \u201cBesides reducing water consumption, this technology will allow us to recover the mined ore at the mine,\u201d states Potter, an Englishman who has worked in the mining industry for 20 years and has been with Vale since 2009. The finer particles that are eliminated in the conventional process will be mixed into the end product. In addition, it will no longer be necessary to discard the waste from the process into a dam specifically built for this objective. \u201cThe fact that no loaded trucks will be moving around the mine will lower the impact on the environment,\u201d explains Porter. Vale has recently been granted the preliminary environmental license necessary to implement the project.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mining expansion","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[169],"tags":[],"coauthors":[115],"class_list":["post-97244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-technology"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97244"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97244\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97244"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=97244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}