ABB and Vale join forces for the digitalization of iron ore operations

(CONNECT) ABB has agreed a strategic partnership with the Brazilian mining company Vale to advance the use of automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in mineral production operations in Brazil. The aim is to enhance the productivity, safety and energy efficiency at several Brazilian locations operated by Vale, as detailed in a statement.

The partnership follows on from the completion of Vale’s Conceição II pilot plant in Itabira in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. ABB acted as a consultant, system integrator, and technology provider for the project. At the facility, which has an annual capacity of 11.2 million tons, the partners installed around 100 surveillance cameras and automated more than 7,000 measuring instruments. Moreover, data intelligence has been deployed to control and optimize more than 400 variables across all stages of the ore processing workflow, which has led to a significant increase in productivity at the Conceição II complex.

Since implementation in 2024, the plant has recorded a 25 percent increase in productivity and growth of 40 percent in the production of premium ore, in addition to reducing iron losses in the tailings by 26 percent. “Building on the success achieved in Conceição II, we are creating a framework to deploy a consistent approach to automation, electrification and digitalization across multiple operations”, comments Joachim Braun, President of ABB's Process Industries Division, in the statement. ce/ja