Vale's S11D iron ore project is expected to complete its expansion to 90 million mt/year capacity by 2020, with first ore expected to be shipped in January 2017, Vale's Executive Manager for Shipping and Iron Ore Marketing Luiz Meriz said at a major iron ore conference in Dalian Thursday.
S11D's product, with natural iron content of around 66%-Fe, will be blended to produce Vale's high grade Carajas material, which typically has 65%-Fe specifications.
Taking into account the replacement of existing capacity, this expansion is expected to bring total production capacity of Carajas to 230 million mt/year by 2020, from 153 million mt/year in 2016.
S11D was previously expected to reach 90 million mt/year capacity in 2018.
