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Anglo American and Porto do Açu Join Forces in a New Project Aimed at Reusing Effluent Water from the World’s Largest Slurry Pipeline.
In celebration of World Environment Day, on Thursday (9), Anglo American and Porto do Açu announced at Casa Firjan a partnership to analyze the reuse of water used in activities of the world’s largest slurry pipeline, which spans 529 km and transports iron ore from Conceição do Mato Dentro (MG) to the port in São João da Barra. The expectation is that this will be one of the largest water reuse projects in the country, potentially reaching a volume of 0.3 m³/s of reused water.
Partnership Between Anglo American and Porto do Açu Aims to Study the Treatment of Effluents from the Slurry Pipeline
According to the acting president of Firjan, Luiz Césio Caetano, during the signing ceremony of the document between the companies, the project between Anglo American and Porto do Açu represents the state’s industry’s capacity to be innovative in its solutions and also to unite issues that are strategic for sustainable development, presenting an initiative that marks a true milestone in efforts for a circular economy as an element of planning for alternative supply sources.
The product leaves the slurry pipeline of Anglo American and crosses 29 cities before reaching the Porto do Açu, where it undergoes a filtration process, separating water from the ore. It is then stored for export. Currently, the effluent generated by the water filtration system is treated and mostly discarded into the sea, following the legal standards of the operation.
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Thus, the partnership between Porto do Açu and Anglo American for reuse aims to study the treatment and use of this effluent in the industrial plants of the complex, so that the effluent is gradually no longer discarded into the sea.
Initiative Promotes Circular Water Economy Practices
According to the environmental manager of Anglo American, this is yet another initiative that aligns with the company’s purpose of innovating in the slurry pipeline and improving people’s lives, as well as being aligned with the goals and objectives of the company’s Sustainable Mining Plan. The aim is to maximize water reuse in the company’s operations.
According to the CEO of Anglo American, Wilfred Buijn, the company continues to work to promote and build an increasingly sustainable environment that brings ideas for the benefit of society as a whole. There are consistent goals in the Sustainable Mining plan, and the company is taking solid actions to achieve them.
Porto do Açu Exemplifies Uses of the Effluent from the Slurry Pipeline
The CEO of Porto do Açu, José Firmo, states that the companies installed at Porto do Açu need water for various activities and represent a significant demand for its reuse. The initiative promotes circular water economy practices, in line with the sustainability strategies of the Prumo Group.
The effluent from the slurry pipeline can also be utilized by companies that will install new industrial and sustainable projects in the port, such as fertilizer plants, thermoelectric plants, pellet production, green hydrogen, petrochemicals, and green steel.
It is important to highlight that Anglo American is seeking innovative energy management in the country and, in this regard, has become a self-producer of sustainable energy in partnership with Casa dos Ventos.
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