Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef, accompanied by Deputy Minister Eng. Khaled Al-Mudaifer and other industry leaders, visited Vale’s Carajas mines in Brazil’s Amazon. The visit included an overview of Vale’s modern mining technologies, such as remote mine management and driverless trucks.
Al-Khorayef discussed knowledge transfer and the balance between mining activities and rainforest preservation with Vale officials. The talks also covered Vale’s expansion plans in Saudi Arabia, opportunities for cooperation in developing the Carajas mines, and increasing their production, which currently exceeds 300 mln tons of iron ore annually.
Saudi Arabia supplies Brazil with 16pct of its phosphate fertilizer needs through Maaden Company. Vale’s ties with the Saudi mining sector are growing, with Manara Minerals, a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund and Maaden, acquiring a 10pct stake in Vale. Additionally, Vale to develop a factory and logistics center for iron pellet production in Ras Al Khair Industrial City, with an annual capacity of up to 4 mln tons.
