Vale Completes Onça Puma Expansion, Boosting Nickel Production
Vale, a leading global mining company, has completed a significant expansion at its Onça Puma mining complex in Brazil. The project, which began construction in 2018, has strengthened Vale's competitive position in the global nickel market and supports its long-term production goals.
The Onça Puma Furnace 2 project, led by Vale Base Metals, added a second processing furnace to the complex. This expansion increased the site's production capacity by 15,000 tonnes per year of nickel, bringing the total capacity to 40,000 tonnes per year. This makes it Brazil's largest ferronickel operation.
The project, which lasted three years, was completed nearly 13% under initial budget estimates. It generated 2,500 construction jobs and resulted in zero lost-time injuries throughout the construction period. The operation now supports over 1,800 permanent employees and contractors, contributing significant tax income to local and national governments.
The expansion positions Onça Puma more favorably on the global nickel cost curve and supports Brazil's role as a strategic exporter of nickel to the stainless steel industry. It also contributes to Vale's target of producing 210,000-250,000 tonnes of nickel annually by 2030.
The completion of the Onça Puma Furnace 2 project demonstrates Vale's commitment to operational excellence, safety, schedule adherence, cost management, and workforce development. The expansion strengthens Vale's competitive position in the global nickel market and supports its long-term production goals, while also contributing significantly to the local and national economies.
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