In the filtration process, the water present in the iron ore tailings is reduced, allowing most of the material to be stacked in a solid state, thus reducing dependence on dams. Still in 2021, it is expected to start the operation of the first filtration plant in the Itabira Complex. Over the course of 2022, the second filtration plant at the Itabira Complex and the first at the Brucutu site will start operating. The four tailings filtration plants will serve processing plants that total a capacity to process 64 Mt/y of iron ore.

The addition of 4 Mt/y of capacity, as previously announced in the Production and Sales Report, on February 3, 2021, will take place from the 3rd quarter of 2021 along with the start-up of the Maravilhas III dam, which is in the final stage of construction and will receive only the ultrafine tailings from the plants, equivalent to approximately 30% of the total tailings generated from this operation. The beginning of the tailings filtration operations in Vargem Grande is another step in stabilising iron ore production and on the way to the return of the production capacity of 400 Mt/y at the end of 2022, says Vale.

And more is coming from Australian juniors:

Another 6mt this year then 20-30mt next year from the majors. Most of these larger junior plays will never see the light of day as prices crash again.