São Paulo / Pará – Vale Base Metals (VBM) has strengthened its nickel production footprint in Brazil following the successful start-up of a second processing furnace at the Onça Puma mining complex in Pará state, increasing the operation’s nameplate capacity to 40,000 tonnes per year.
The Furnace 2 expansion adds 15,000 tonnes per year of nickel capacity and was delivered on schedule and nearly 13 percent below budget, underscoring VBM’s execution discipline. The project generated approximately 2,500 jobs during the construction phase and will support more than 1,800 permanent employees and contractors during operations. Notably, the three-year construction period was completed with zero lost-time injuries.
“This investment and the successful delivery of the project further demonstrate Vale Base Metals’ long-term commitment to Pará and Brazil, while ensuring our world-class operations remain globally competitive,” said VBM Chief Executive Officer Shaun Usmar.
He added that consistent project delivery is a critical foundation for supporting the company’s broader growth strategy in Brazil, including significant copper expansion plans over the next decade.
The capacity increase enhances Onça Puma’s positioning on the global nickel cost curve and reinforces Brazil’s role as a strategic supplier of nickel to the global stainless steel industry, at a time when demand for reliable and cost-competitive supply continues to grow.
VBM remains on track to meet its 2025 nickel production guidance of 160,000 to 175,000 tonnes. Looking further ahead, the additional output from Onça Puma, combined with the ongoing ramp-up of underground production at Voisey’s Bay in Canada, is expected to lift group-wide nickel production to between 210,000 and 250,000 tonnes by 2030.
Operational since 2011, Onça Puma also plays a significant role in regional socioeconomic development in Pará, contributing through employment creation, local procurement, tax revenues, and direct community investment.
Original article can be found: https://www.miningweekly.com/article/vale-base-metals-boosts-nickel-output-with-ona-puma-furnace-start-up-2025-10-01
