Name of the Mine
Serra Norte mining complex.

Location  
Part of Vale’s Northern System, located in the municipality of Parauapebas, in the Brazilian state of Pará.

Mine Owner/s  
Vale.

Brief Description  
The Serra Norte mining complex is a production stage property, part of Vale’s Northern System, comprising the N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5 orebodies.

Brief History  
The Serra Norte mines have been operating since 1984.

Primary Metals/Minerals  
Iron-ore.

Secondary Metals/Minerals  
None stated.

Geology/Mineralisation  
The main Carajás iron-ore deposits are associated with flat-topped elevated plateaus, defined along two main morphological alignments corresponding to Serra Norte and Serra Sul. These alignments form the flanks of the Carajás Syncline structure.

The Serra Norte complex corresponds to the inverted flank of the Carajás Syncline.

Mineralisation occurs mainly as a product of supergenic enrichment, developed over jaspilites (banded iron formation, or BIF, interlayered with basalts), generating a high-grade ore comprising friable hematite, compact hematite, and manganiferous hematite. The main structural controls are faults and folds that favoured the BIFs thickening of the levels of jaspilite, by duplication and the efficiency of supergenic processes through the tilting and fracturing of these rocks.

Reserves  
Total proven and probable reserves as at December 31, 2021, were estimated at 1.59-million tonnes grading 65.8% iron.

Resources  
Total measured and indicated resources as at December 31, 2021, were estimated at 1.08-billion tons grading 66.3% iron. Inferred resources are estimated at 293.4-million tons grading 66% iron.

Mining Method  
Openpit.

Major Infrastructure/Equipment  
Ore is hauled by off-road trucks to strategically positioned primary crushing facilities, and waste is hauled to waste dumps. Plant 1, with a throughput of 80-million tonnes a year, has a mixed beneficiation process – 55% wet and 45% dry. Plants 2 and 3 have a 100% natural moisture process, with production rates of 40-million tonnes and 20-million tonnes a year respectively.

Prospects  
The current life-of-mine plan runs from 2022 until 2038. The mine plan involves opening new mining areas for extraction at the complex’s N1, N2 and N3 orebodies.

Additionally, Plant 1 is undergoing a conversion to a 100% natural moisture process, which is expected to be completed between 2024 and 2025.

Contact Details
Vale
Email vale.ri@vale.com

Sources
Vale. http://www.vale.com (2022).
Vale Form 20-F, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2022.