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Technical case record · Construction

Mina do Pico tailings block factory

Vale commissioned a pilot factory designed to convert sandy iron-ore tailings into pavers, concrete blocks and other precast products.

Itabirito, Minas Gerais, BrazilPilot plantDemonstration evidence

What was developed or tested

The modular automated plant was designed around chemically and granulometrically consistent silica-rich tailings and several precast product types.

What the evidence supports

One of the clearer industrial demonstrations of tailings entering conventional construction products. Company disclosures projected use of about 30,000 tonnes per year after testing.

Environmental and technical uncertainty

Substitution for natural sand and avoided storage are potential benefits. Public disclosure does not replace independent product, leaching or lifecycle verification.

Benefit-case screening lens

Potential value: Potential co-product revenue, reduced demand for virgin aggregate or binder inputs, local supply and avoided tailings storage.

Deployment constraints: Product specification, consistency, processing and binder demand, customer qualification, market volume, haulage distance and residual liability.

Question before applying elsewhere

Does the site-specific residue meet durability, leaching, production-control and applicable material-specification requirements at the proposed scale?

Sources

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