PT Vale Indonesia Tbk : Vale Launches First-Ever R&D&I Report and Details How Innovation Is Already Transforming the Mining Chain

Publication consolidates more than 350 projects and showcases applications of AI, automation, circularity, and decarbonization.

Vale has launched its first Research, Development & Innovation (R&D&I) Report, a publication that consolidates investments, governance, partnerships, and applied cases in the transformation of mining. More than just a compilation of technological initiatives, the report shows how R&D&I has become part of the company's strategy to address industry challenges such as operating more safely and efficiently, reducing environmental impacts, and expanding mining's contribution to the energy transition.

In 2025, Vale invested US$685 million (approximately R$3.78 billion) in R&D&I and maintained a portfolio of more than 350 projects. The agenda is supported by 16 proprietary innovation hubs and reinforces ties with academia, with more than R$38.4 million in scholarships linked to R&D&I projects developed at universities and research institutes, and more than R$10 million in research infrastructure.

The report starts from a central premise: the Mining of the Future will be defined by an entire chain transformed by science, data, automation, artificial intelligence, circularity, and lower-emission solutions. This chain begins with mineral research and exploration, moves through autonomous mines, digital plants, railways, ports, and shipping, and reaches steel industry clients with products and industrial models aimed at reducing emissions.

"For us, the Mining of the Future means operating with more autonomy, intensive use of data, artificial intelligence, and digital solutions that raise performance standards and reduce environmental impacts. It also means advancing new operating models, more sustainable production processes, and more resilient value chains," says Leandro Teixeira, Vale's Head of Innovation.

Artificial Intelligence in Practice: 45 Applied Solutions from Mine to Logistics

One of the report's highlights is the advance of artificial intelligence in industrial environments. Vale already has more than 45 AI solutions applied across its value chain, used in mining, plants, pelletizing, railways, ports, shipping, asset monitoring, mineral exploration, and corporate areas.

These technologies support decision-making and help solve concrete operational problems: forecasting weather conditions, supporting mining decisions, monitoring critical assets, optimizing maritime fleets, reducing input consumption, improving logistics predictability, and expanding safety. Examples include MinAInteligente, with AI applied to mine efficiency and predictability; SabIA, generative AI for searching technical mineral exploration information; PelotAInteligente, focused on optimizing pelletizing and reducing natural gas consumption; and VESO, a simulator that combines production, costs, and emissions to support decarbonization decisions.

Automation, Safety, and the Future of Work

The automation agenda reinforces that the Mining of the Future goes beyond technological evolution and also involves new skills, operating models, and ways of working. More than 90 autonomous pieces of equipment are operating in Brazil, including off-road trucks, drill rigs, and yard machines. The technology allows activities to be conducted from safer, more connected, and data-driven environments.
This movement is also linked to shaping the future workforce. Around 300 jobs have undergone transformation, with employees trained for new roles or to work differently, interacting with autonomous vehicles and machines.

Capanema Mine - MG. Credit: Nayara Leite

Among the most representative examples is the Capanema mine, in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, resumed after 22 years of inactivity. The operation was designed in line with the company's new paradigms: 100% autonomous operation, dry mining, no water use in processing, no tailings generation, no dams, and reuse of ore contained in a former waste rock pile.

Generating Value from What Has Already Been Mined
In 2025, Vale produced 26.3 million tonnes of iron ore from circular sources, equivalent to about 8% of total production - more than double what it produced the previous year. The goal is to reach 10% of annual production by 2030.
The Circular Mining Program brings together more than 100 initiatives, including the reuse of waste rock and tailings, sustainable sand production, the block factory at the Pico Mine, and solutions that turn materials previously treated as liabilities into new products or inputs for the production chain.

From Mine to Ship - and to the Customer

Innovation in mining also extends beyond the mine itself. In ports, railways, and shipping, Vale develops solutions aimed at safety, logistics efficiency, emissions reduction, and operational predictability. Initiatives include drones for ship mooring at Porto Norte (São Luís, MA), solar panels on Carajás Railroad locomotives, AIFleet, Ecoshipping, and VESO, a simulation tool that combines costs, production, and emissions.
In the steel chain, the company highlights products and solutions aimed at reducing customer emissions. Iron ore briquettes have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in steelmaking by up to 10%, while Mega Hubs can reduce emissions by up to 70% compared to the traditional route.

The full report can be accessed here.