Vale, ABB to Advance Digitalization in Brazilian Mineral Production
08/12/2026 - Vale and ABB teamed up to expand the use of automation and artificial intelligence technologies in mineral production in Brazil.
The companies said the partnership expands on their cooperation at Vale’s Conceição II Model Plant in Itabira, Minas Gerais. As part of the initiative, they will gradually replicate the technological solutions used at the Itabira plant at other iron ore processing plants.
“The Model Plant Project has shown that new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, improve employee safety and increase productivity, operational efficiency and quality in mining. Now, we are going to take this learning to other Vale operations, increasing the predictability of processes, improving the use of mineral resources and reducing people’s exposure to risky activities,” said Carlos Medeiros, vice president of operations at Vale.
Since implementation, the technologies installed at Conceição II have resulted in an estimated 25% increase in productivity, a 40% growth in production of premium iron ore for direct reduction and a 26% reduction in iron losses in the tailings.
“Building on the success achieved in Conceição II, we are creating a framework to deploy a consistent approach to automation, electrification and digitalization across multiple operations,” said Joachim Braun, president of ABB’s process industries division.
“The Model Plant Project has shown that new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, improve employee safety and increase productivity, operational efficiency and quality in mining. Now, we are going to take this learning to other Vale operations, increasing the predictability of processes, improving the use of mineral resources and reducing people’s exposure to risky activities,” said Carlos Medeiros, vice president of operations at Vale.
Since implementation, the technologies installed at Conceição II have resulted in an estimated 25% increase in productivity, a 40% growth in production of premium iron ore for direct reduction and a 26% reduction in iron losses in the tailings.
“Building on the success achieved in Conceição II, we are creating a framework to deploy a consistent approach to automation, electrification and digitalization across multiple operations,” said Joachim Braun, president of ABB’s process industries division.
