Brazilian Miner Samarco Advances Production Resumptions at Two Pellet Plants in Ubu, Targeting Capacity of About 25 Million mt/Year

Brazilian iron ore pellet producer Samarco Mineração S.A. (hereinafter referred to as Samarco) disclosed on its official website that the Momento 3 production resumption phase continues to advance, with the target of restoring 100% installed capacity from 2028. Based on Samarco's previously disclosed current 60% capacity corresponding to approximately 15 million mt/year of pellets and iron ore fines, the 100% installed capacity is approximately 25 million mt/year. The Ubu industrial complex will be a key component of this round of production resumptions.

According to Samarco's official website, the Ubu industrial complex located in Anchieta, Espírito Santo State, Brazil, plans to invest approximately 3.5 billion reais (approximately $700 million), primarily for the modernisation and production resumption of two pellet plants. The Ubu industrial complex has four pellet plants in total; the current phase has restored two pellet plants to operation, and the next step towards full production includes restoring Ubu Pellet Plants 1 and 2, along with advancing the beneficiation and filtration systems at the Germano mine. The company previously disclosed that the project will drive local industrial investment and employment growth, and lay the foundation for the subsequent full restoration of pellet capacity. The company is continuously investing in pellet production system upgrades, tailings filtration facility construction, and low-carbonisation operations.

Samarco primarily produces iron ore pellets and iron ore fines for the steel industry. The company halted production following the tailings dam accident in 2015 and began gradually resuming operations in 2020. The modernisation and production resumption of the two Ubu pellet plants will increase Brazil's seaborne pellet and iron ore fines supply.