In the Form 20-F report sent to the US Securities and Exchange commission (SEC), the Brazilian miner Vale said it has extended the lifespan of its Itabira iron ore complex for additional 12 years, until 2053.
Located in the Minas Gerais state, the Itabira complex is the first mine explored by the company, back in 1942.
According to Vale, technological developments have allowed Itabira’s mineral reserves to increase from 759.7 million metric tons (mt), with an average iron contents of 45.6 percent, to 1.15 billion mt, with an iron contents of 45.8 percent.
The company mentioned that, from the new total, 738.5 million mt with 46.6 percent iron are proven reserves, while 412.8 million mt with 44.4 percent iron are probable reserves.
Vale attributes the 52% annual increase to "significant advances in geological research, mineral processing studies, and the adoption of technologies that ensure greater utilization of mineral resources," allowing the exploitation of materials previously classified as waste.
In 2025, the Itabira Complex produced 25.2 million mt of iron ore, of which 1.5 million mt obtained from waste.
