Name of the Project
Gongo Soco circular mining project.

Location
Barão de Cocais, in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Project Owner/s
Vale.

Project Description
The Gongo Soco mine has been suspended since 2016.

Vale announced the implementation of the Gongo Soco circular mining project in April 2026 as part of its Circular Mining Program – Waste to Value, which aims to transform tailings and waste rock into new products, reduce waste generation, optimise the use of mineral reserves and support more sustainable operations.

The project will support iron-ore production from circular sources while delivering safety gains, reducing environmental impacts and generating value. 

The Gongo Soco project entails the construction of a plant at the mine to reprocess tailings from the decommissioning of the Sul Superior dam and from two stockpiles at the unit. 

The plant is being developed to operate in line with the Sul Superior dam decommissioning works. The project will use magnetic concentration technology to maximise iron-ore recovery from the tailings. 

The product will be transported by the Vitória a Minas Railroad.

The project will use a simpler, more compact processing technology with a smaller footprint, as well as modular engineering to allow for faster, lower-cost construction and lower-carbon gas emissions. 

The plant will have capacity to produce about two-million tonnes of iron-ore a year. Reprocessing is expected to take place over the next few years, in line with the decommissioning schedule for the geotechnical structure. 

By 2030, Vale expects about 10% of its yearly iron-ore production to come from circular sources.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
Construction of the plant is expected to take about 19 months. Operations are scheduled to start in 2027, subject to environmental licensing and regulatory requirements.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Vale, email imprensa@vale.com or Tatiana Azzi, email vale_imprensa@bursonglobal.com.