On Thursday, July 30, 2026, Vale (VALE3) announced the start of commissioning of the long-distance conveyor belt for the Serra Sul +20 project, marking the beginning of the start-up of the venture in Canaã dos Carajás (PA). The project, together with the S11D Compact Crusher, whose start-up is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, aims to add 20 million tonnes per year (20 Mtpa) of production capacity and increase the operational flexibility of the S11D operation.
According to the company, Serra Sul +20 is part of the Novo Carajás Program, aimed at sustaining production and expanding the supply of high-quality iron ore and minerals considered critical, reinforcing Brazil’s role in the global energy transition. The project involves expanding the mine and plant capacity at S11D, including duplicating the long-distance conveyor belt, developing new mining areas, installing a new semi-mobile crushing system and implementing additional processing lines at the plant.
Vale also reported that Serra Sul +20 obtained, in September 2025, the operating license for activities related to the mine. The company highlights that, together, the Capanema, VGR1 and Serra Sul +20 projects are milestones in the plan to sustainably increase iron ore production to approximately 360 million tonnes (360 Mt) in 2030, while also increasing the flexibility of its product portfolio.
