Vale launches AI-powered plant in Minas Gerais, boosting productivity by 25%

Brazilian miner Vale inaugurated its first high-tech ore processing plant powered by artificial intelligence on Wednesday, following the modernization of a facility in Minas Gerais state. The company reported a 25% productivity gain in less than two years.

The Conceicao 2 unit now has an annual production capacity of up to 11.2 million metric tons of iron ore, up from 9 million tons in 2024, Vale said in a statement.

The modernization integrated advanced automation, real-time monitoring, and data intelligence to optimize over 400 variables in the iron ore beneficiation process.

The pilot project also increased the share of direct reduction pellet feed-a product considered strategic for steel decarbonization-by 40%, while improving overall mineral recovery.