Brazilian
miner Vale SA said on Tuesday it is considering doubling the output of its
Carajas Serra Sul iron ore mine in the northern part of the country after 2020,
saying the move would allow it to cut the use of tailings dams.
One such dam,
used to store the muddy, toxic mining debris, collapsed in late February,
killing more than 230 people.
Vale expects
to produce 75 million tonnes this year from the S11D operation in Carajas Serra
Sul, its biggest mining project ever, with output seen increasing to 90 million
in 2020, the company said in a presentation for investors.
In a forecast
labeled "Beyond 2020," Vale outlined a possible expansion in Carajas
Serra Sul to 150 million tonnes or production.
The move to
boost capacity at Carajas would also boost the company's flexibility in
providing "premium products" to the market, the company said in
slides to be presented by recently named Chief Executive Officer Eduardo
Bartolomeo at a conference.
Reiterating
comments made during its quarterly earnings presentation last week, Vale also
said it is reviewing its portfolio of assets, considering their risk and
return.
The company
said that among its challenges is to have a lean portfolio, while optimizing
growth and risk factors.
Source: mining.com