In a Form 20-F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Brazilian miner Vale said it has extended the life of its Itabira iron ore complex by an additional 12 years, until 2053.
The Itabira complex, located in the state of Minas Gerais, is the first mine explored by the company back in 1942
According to Vale, technological developments have increased Itabira's mineral reserves from 759.7 million tons at an average iron grade of 45.6 percent to 1.15 billion tons at an average iron grade of 45.8 percent.
The company noted that of the new total of 738.5 million tons grading iron, 46.6 percent are proven reserves, while Probable reserves amount to 412.8 million tonnes with an iron content of 44.4 percent.
Vale attributes the 52% year-on-year increase to “significant advances in geological exploration, mineral processing research and the introduction of technologies that enable more efficient use of mineral resources,” allowing the development of materials previously classified as waste.
In 2025, the Itabira complex produced 25.2 million tons of iron ore, of which 1.5 million tons were obtained from waste.
