Eco-friendly Mining Technology with Fully Integrated Sustainability from Mine to End-users: CBMM, Brazil

摘要

Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineracao - CBMM - is fully integrated from its mine to final niobium products such as ferroniobium used in the steel industry, special niobium oxides, vacuum grade niobium masteralloys and niobium metal. CBMM's sustainable program transformed niobium from the laboratory dream of the early 60's into the technology solution for today's challenges represented by the continuously increased need for infrastructure, high energy prices and growing environmental concern. The company has created and maintained its long-term program for niobium development with anticipation of environmental regulation, investment in human resources, building strong and sustainable relationship with its community, developing technology to exploit its mineral resources with continuously increased efficiency and creating value-added solutions in every supply chain involving the end-uses of niobium, such as gas pipelines, automotive industry, structural applications, shipbuilding and aerospace. This paper presents examples of main actions taken over the past 45 years to build CBMM's sustainable niobium program from its mine in Araxa, Brazil to every niobium end-user in the world.