Vale Metais Básicos began operating the second nickel processing furnace at the Onça Puma Mineral Complex, in southeastern Pará, significantly increasing production capacity and further positioning the company for long-term growth and profitability.
The entry into operation of Furnace 2 consolidates Onça Puma as the major ferronickel operation in Brazil, adding 15 kilotons of nickel production capacity, bringing the operation to a nominal production capacity of 40 ktpa.
The Forno 2 project generated 2,500 jobs during its construction phase, and its completion positions Onça Puma in the lower half of the global nickel cost curve.
Vale Base Metals remains on track to meet its 2025 nickel production forecast of 160-175 kt. The start-up of Furnace 2, coupled with increased underground mining at Voisey’s Bay, Canada, will contribute to achieving nickel production between 210 kt and 250 kt by 2030.