Global mining giant Vale has officially commenced load testing at its first iron ore briquetting plant in Brazil, according to international mining media reports (SMM Shanghai Nonferrous Metals Network). The facility employs an innovative cold-bonding briquetting technology that converts iron ore fines into high-quality briquettes without high-temperature sintering, potentially reducing CO₂ emissions in the steelmaking process by more than 10%.
Vale stated that the plant has a design capacity of 1.5 million tonnes per year and is scheduled for full commercial operation in 2026. Unlike traditional sintering and pelletizing, the cold-bonding process requires no high-temperature heating, dramatically cutting energy consumption and carbon emissions. This is widely regarded as one of the key technological pathways for the steel industry to achieve carbon neutrality targets.
Implications for the Third-Party Inspection Industry: The introduction of iron ore briquettes as a new product category means that quality testing standards and methodologies must evolve in parallel. RCI Inspection’s technical team is already researching testing protocols for the physical properties, chemical composition, and metallurgical performance of briquetted products, ensuring our clients receive professional inspection services aligned with emerging industry standards.
Source: Futures Daily / SMM Shanghai Nonferrous Metals Network
Original link: SMM — Vale’s First Iron Ore Briquetting Plant Begins Load Testing