ITOCHU to decarbonise iron ore mines in Brazil
ITOCHU Corporation of Japan has signed a memorandum on SDGs collaboration with the Brazilian CSN Group as a model case for initiatives, along with the implementation of business partnerships with companies in Japan and abroad that possess excellent technologies, with the aim of promoting decarbonisation and digital transformation in the field of metals and mineral resources.
ITOCHU owns Brazilian iron ore mining interests Casa de Pedra- CdP Mines together with the CSN Group and both have agreed on collaborating in decarbonisation and DX to increase operational efficiency at the CdP Mines and to contribute to decarbonisation at the Mines and CSN steel work.
Moreover, ITOCHU also plans to conduct broader collaboration, including current ITOCHU decarbonisation initiatives in the field of metals and minerals, as a way to further contribute to decarbonisation of CSN Group operations, such as through low-carbon ironmaking technology, hydrogen and ammonia, and CCUS.”
CSN recently put funding in place for the expansion of CdP Mines which are located at Congonhas in southeastern Minas Gerais. The mines currently have a 33 million tonne per year capacity but this will rise to 108 million tonne per year capacity by 2033 with the introduction of dry stacked tailings a major part of the strategy. ITOCHU holds a stake in Congonhas Minérios SA which operates the CdP Mines.
To promote digital transformation to improve operational efficiency, cut costs, and increase safety in metal and mineral resources, ITOCHU has entered into business partnerships with companies (solution vendors) in Japan and abroad that possess excellent digital solutions, know-how, and track records with regard to improving all the relevant processes.
These include Shell’s Oren B2B marketplace, mining software & digital twin major MineRP, now part of Epiroc, asset and process optimisation solutions provider GE Digital; drone technology company SensynRobotics & LiDAR cloud base system company Scan X.
