The Brazilian miner, Vale, and the Sweden metallurgic technology company, GreenIron, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on key initiatives in Brazil and Sweden for the decarbonization of the mining and metals supply chain.
Both companies will develop feasibility studies for an innovative direct reduction facility in Brazil, while Vale will supply iron ore agglomerates to GreenIron’s facility in Sandviken, Sweden.
The feasibility study for a facility in Brazil will include the selection of a suitable site for the project, and evaluation of renewable energy and resource supply options.
The study will evaluate the feasibility of using green hydrogen and other innovations to reduce the environmental impact of future operations.
GreenIron’s technology is flexible in terms of feedstock options and capacity, while compatible with the use of green hydrogen.
Vale’s Rogerio Nogueira, commercial and new business VP, mentioned that the agreement “brings together Vale’s superior product portfolio, Brazil’s competitive advantage on green hydrogen and GreenIron’s expertise on sustainable iron production to provide low-carbon solutions for the mining and metals industry”.
Edward Murray, GreenIron CEO, said the agreement “represents a clear commitment to pursue collaborative opportunities that align with our vision for a sustainable mining and metals industry, and to drastically reduce the sector's climate footprint”.