ThyssenKrupp creates global engineering center for mining in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A major global producer of iron ore and other mineral commodities, Brazil has been selected by the global management of Thyssenkrupp, the German multinational conglomerate with a focus on industrial engineering and steel production, as its global engineering center of excellence for mining equipment and technology outside Germany. The other is located in India.

The decision was made at the end of 2020, and the center was recently established with a team of 100 highly technically qualified professionals. The Plant Technology business unit has professionals in the Belo Horizonte office and the Mining Service Centers in Santa Luzia (MG) and Parauapebas (PA), located near the Carajás Mineral Center.

Leonardo Pena, technical manager of the Global Engineering Competence Center at ThyssenKrupp Plant Technology in South America, says Industry 4.0 and digitalization are a growing trend globally. “This is now a reality in the operations of mining companies.”

According to the managing director, around 80% of iron ore production in Brazil is covered by the German company’s equipment and technologies. “We can offer different levels of digitalization to our customers, who are increasingly looking for greater efficiency, performance, and cost reduction,” he tells Valor.

Brazil is the world’s second-largest iron ore producer, behind Australia. There are currently three major mining companies: Vale, CSN Mineração, and Anglo American. Other large projects are under development in Bahia and Minas Gerais.

The CEO informs, without mentioning the names of the customers, that he has just developed forklift reclaimers for solid bulk materials (such as iron ore, coal, kaolin, and grain) in Brazil. The machine, called Autonomous BWSR, features a system with advanced algorithms, laser sensors, GPS, and integrated radars.

Artificial intelligence, he says, is now present from the mine to the port. And it can do so by installing new equipment or upgrading and repowering facilities. He says computers are increasingly gaining space and taking over the functions of the old PLCs in the machines.

Recently, Vale announced that it is starting to use autonomous trucks at its iron mine in Carajás.

In fiscal 2019/2020, which ended Sept. 30, the ThyssenKrupp group generated sales of 29 billion euros in 60 countries.

With information from Valor