Vale has obtained the installation environmental license (LI) for the Carajás S11D iron ore project, the highest-grade and lowest-cost project in the industry. The LI, which was issued by Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA), is part of the project’s second phase of licensing, which authorizes the plant construction.
S11D is the largest project in Vale’s history as well as in the iron ore industry. It encompasses the development of mine and processing plant (US$8.089 billion) and logistics (US$11.582 Billion).
The project has a nominal capacity of 90 million tonne per year (Mtpy) of iron ore with proven and proved reserves of 4.240 billion tonne with an average ferrous content of 66.7 per cent, low impurities and estimated cash cost (mine, plant, railway and port after royalties) of US$15 per tonne. S11D is expected to start up in 2H16 and deliver full capacity production in 2018.
The project has a nominal capacity of 90 million tonne per year (Mtpy) of iron ore with proven and proved reserves of 4.240 billion tonne with an average ferrous content of 66.7 per cent, low impurities and estimated cash cost (mine, plant, railway and port after royalties) of US$15 per tonne. S11D is expected to start up in 2H16 and deliver full capacity production in 2018.