Brazilian miner Vale SA said its block C in the Serra Sul area of the Carajás iron ore complex could support an additional 40-50 million tons of annual production, pending regulatory and licensing improvements.
Chief Executive Gustavo Pimenta told reporters on Tuesday that the project remains under evaluation and no final investment decision has been taken. He highlighted the need for regulatory modernization, specifically a pending government decree to clarify rules on protecting subterranean cavities, which would reduce legal ambiguity and expedite permitting.
The decree is currently under review by the Casa Civil, following prior alignment between the Ministries of Mines and Energy and the Environment, Pimenta said. The minister, Alexandre Silveira, confirmed that technical and legal details are being finalized.
Vale’s current capital allocation strategy prioritizes commodities where it holds competitive scale and advantage—iron ore, copper and nickel—while rare earths and lithium remain under study without investment commitments. Any expansion into new minerals would adhere to strict capital discipline, Pimenta said.
On logistics, he noted that participation in Porto Sudeste could provide alternative export routes, enhancing operational flexibility. The company is also preparing contingency plans for potential heavy rains in the Southeast linked to El Niño, focusing on safety and operational continuity, while fire prevention remains a priority in the North.
The Carajás complex, located in Pará state, already operates the S11D mine and is evaluating further development across blocks A, B and C in Serra Sul. The region is a cornerstone of Vale’s iron ore output, which remains central to its global supply strategy.
