Leader in electrolytic nickel in Latin America
Having completed thirty years of activities in 2011, Votorantim Metais Nickel business has achieved many successes and great results. Votorantim Metais started its activities in the production of electrolytic nickel in 1981 in Niquelândia (GO) and São Miguel Paulista (São Paulo/SP) units, with a production capacity of 5 thousand tons per year. Currently, the figure is at 25 thousand tons of electrolytic nickel per year, showing VM’s growth and consolidation in the nickel production.
In 2003, the company acquired Fortaleza de Minas unit in Minas Gerais, for the production of nickel matte from sulfide ore, with a production capacity of 19 thousand tons of nickel content per year which, if added to the electrolytic nickel capacity, totals 44 thousand tons of nickel content per year.
Throughout all these years, VM has specialized in geological studies and has been investing in the implantation of mines and production units, developing technology and processes and people, resulting in a competitive, high quality product, with personalized post-sale assistance.
All this made the Nickel business unit a pioneer in Brazil, as well as in the largest electrolytic nickel producer in Latin America – the product is exported to more than 20 countries, the Nickel and Cobalt being recorded in the LME (London Metal Exchange).
Highlights
- Annual production: 44 thousand tons of nickel content. Of this total, 25 thousand of electrolytic nickel and 19 thousand of nickel content in nickel matte.
- Three operation units: Niquelândia (GO) – lateritic nickel ore extraction and nickel carbonate production; São Miguel Paulista (São Paulo/SP) – manufacturing of electrolytic nickel and cobalt; and Fortaleza de Minas (MG) – production of nickel matte, destined to the external market and sulfuric acid.
- Niquelândia (GO) mine is one of the greatest nickel reservoirs in Brazil and guarantees Votorantim Metais the provision for its needs for at least 20 more years.