Name of the Project
Port of Açu Mega Hub.

Location
Port of Açu to study the development of a megahub at the port located in São João da Barra, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to produce hot briquetted iron (HBI).

Project Owner/s
The project forms part of a memorandum of understanding between Vale and the Port of Açu.

Project Description
The project proposes using HBI as partial burden in blast-furnaces, reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and increasing steelmaking productivity without needing to substitute existing assets such as the blast furnaces and steelworks.

The megahub will initially receive pellets from Vale and could, in future, include an iron-ore briquette plant on site to supply the direct reduction route at the industrial complex.

According to the agreement, both companies will aim to attract investors and clients to build and operate the proposed direct reduction plant using natural gas, with the possibility of eventually converting to green hydrogen, producing HBI with near-zero carbon emissions.

Vale has started establishing such hubs in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Vale media relations office, email imprensa@vale.com.