Vale, Caterpillar Expands Mining Fleet in Para, Brazil

Para, Brazil - Vale., a mining company, Caterpillar Inc., a construction and mining equipment manufacturer, and Sotreq., an authorized dealer for Caterpillar, have signed an agreement to expand the fleet of autonomous haul trucks at Vale’s Northern System operations in the Carajás region, Pará. The rollout, planned over the next five years at the Serra Norte and Serra Sul units, aims to boost operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability, while preparing employees for strategic roles in a digital mining environment.

Currently, the Northern System operates 14 autonomous trucks with a 320-ton capacity. Under the new agreement, the fleet will grow to around 90 trucks by 2028, including trucks capable of carrying up to 400 tons, operated via Cat MineStar Command for hauling. Autonomous operations reduce worker exposure to hazardous areas, improve efficiency by up to 15%, and cut fuel consumption by up to 7.5%, contributing to lower carbon emissions.

Since 2019, more than 260 professionals have been trained to operate and manage autonomous systems, aligning with global industry standards.

Mr. Carlos Medeiros, Vale VP of Operations and Mr. Rafael Bittar, Vale VP, Technical, said, “Autonomous transport is key to strengthening operational excellence and preparing our teams for a more efficient and sustainable mining future. Integrating autonomous systems and AI is positioning Vale as a global benchmark in smart mining.”

Mr. Marc Cameron, Senior VP at Caterpillar, highlighted that Cat Command for hauling will provide scalable autonomous solutions across Vale’s mixed fleet. In Serra Sul, autonomous trucks will operate alongside Vale’s truckless system, which uses long-distance belt conveyors to transport ore with reduced fuel use and lower emissions.

Vale’s autonomous program began in 2018 at the Brucutu mine in Minas Gerais and now includes over 70 autonomous machines, including trucks, drills, and yard equipment.

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