Area preparation
Before opening a mining area, our teams of biologists proceed with fauna disturbance. Bee hives and epiphytes (plants that live on other plants) are rescued and placed in forest areas.
The commercially valuable wood obtained in plant suppression is separated for sale, as duly authorized by the environmental agencies, and MRN compensates the Federal Government for these amounts. The black earth (organic soil) and the non-commercial wood, but with sustainable value, are kept for use in reforestation after mining the area.
See below an animation of the process and the description of the other production steps.
Lifting (mining)
Bauxite is found about eight meters deep in the ground. To extract it, the superficial clay layer needs to be removed with a bulldozer. Then, the bauxite layer is excavated and hauled on dump trucks to be beneficiated. After the ore is extracted, the clay that was removed is returned to its original place and the area is prepared for reforestation, which takes place during the rainy season.
Beneficiation
Beneficiation includes two main phases, namely: crushing and washing. Crushing breaks down the ore into smaller parts, up to three inches - a little bigger than a tennis ball. In the washing phase, the clay residues that are still mixed with the bauxite are segregated using water jets. About 80% of the water used in the washing phase is reused in the process.
After washing, about 25% of the solid mass (clay) is considered bauxite tailings and is discharged into the tailings dams (ponds). The safety and operating conditions of these areas are explained in detail in the hot site about our Dams and Tailings Management System. Here.
Transport and Shipment
After beneficiation, the bauxite is transported from the Mine to the Port along a 28-km railroad. In this operation, 46-wagon trains are used.
Upon arriving at the Port area, the bauxite can be loaded wet into the ships. Or it can be sold dry, as it is dried in one of the three furnaces before being shipped to refineries in Brazil and abroad.