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Released October 02, 2025 | SUGAR LAND
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Written by Amir Richani for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--With the addition of a new unit to its Onca Puma complex in Brazil, Vale (Rio de Janiero, Brazil) now projects overall nickel production guidance between 210,000 and 250,000 tons by 2030.
Vale Base Metals inaugurated the second ferronickel processing furnace at the Onca Puma complex in Para state, Brazil. This increased the mine's capacity by 15,000 tons per year, bringing the total annual capacity at the complex to 40,000 tons.
The company reported investments of US$480 million during the three years of construction, about 13% less than initially expected.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence Metals & Minerals Project and Plant databases can click here for the related project report and here for the plant profile.
Onca Puma is Vale's only nickel-focused asset in Brazil. The mine has been operational since 2011, though it has faced several shutdowns through the years.
In 2017, the mine closed due to environmental concerns and disputes with local communities, reopening in 2019. In 2021, the environmental and sustainability office in Para state also suspended the mine's license due to non-compliance with licensing conditions. Last year, the asset again halted operations following licensing issues.
In the first six months of 2025, the Onca Puma mine had an output of 10,200 tons of nickel, 240% more than the previous year, when the asset was impacted by the license shutdown. For 2025, the company has set a nickel production guidance of 160,000 tons to 175,000 tons, supported by Vale's mines in Canada and refining units in the United Kingdom and Japan.
However, with the startup of Onca Puma and the higher underground mining from the Voisey's Bay mine in Canada, the company expects to achieve a nickel production guidance of 210,000 to 250,000 tons by 2030.
"This investment and the successful delivery of the project further demonstrate Vale Base Metals' commitment to Pará and Brazil, ensuring that our world-class operations remain globally competitive," said Shaun Usmar, chief executive officer of Vale Base.
Vale Base Metals is 90% owned by Vale and 10% by Manara Minerals Investment Company, which acquired those shares last year.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
Vale Base Metals inaugurated the second ferronickel processing furnace at the Onca Puma complex in Para state, Brazil. This increased the mine's capacity by 15,000 tons per year, bringing the total annual capacity at the complex to 40,000 tons.
The company reported investments of US$480 million during the three years of construction, about 13% less than initially expected.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence Metals & Minerals Project and Plant databases can click here for the related project report and here for the plant profile.
Onca Puma is Vale's only nickel-focused asset in Brazil. The mine has been operational since 2011, though it has faced several shutdowns through the years.
In 2017, the mine closed due to environmental concerns and disputes with local communities, reopening in 2019. In 2021, the environmental and sustainability office in Para state also suspended the mine's license due to non-compliance with licensing conditions. Last year, the asset again halted operations following licensing issues.
In the first six months of 2025, the Onca Puma mine had an output of 10,200 tons of nickel, 240% more than the previous year, when the asset was impacted by the license shutdown. For 2025, the company has set a nickel production guidance of 160,000 tons to 175,000 tons, supported by Vale's mines in Canada and refining units in the United Kingdom and Japan.
However, with the startup of Onca Puma and the higher underground mining from the Voisey's Bay mine in Canada, the company expects to achieve a nickel production guidance of 210,000 to 250,000 tons by 2030.
"This investment and the successful delivery of the project further demonstrate Vale Base Metals' commitment to Pará and Brazil, ensuring that our world-class operations remain globally competitive," said Shaun Usmar, chief executive officer of Vale Base.
Vale Base Metals is 90% owned by Vale and 10% by Manara Minerals Investment Company, which acquired those shares last year.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
