Throughout its existence, mining activity has changed a lot. One of the main gains, however, was the use of technology in day-to-day operations. In addition to improving performance, innovation contributes to the sustainability of the business and the opening to new opportunities. For this reason, Vale invests not only in initiatives that develop mining activities, but also in institutions focused on research and development.

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The Center for Mineral Development (CDM), for example, is the cradle of Vale's operations and is considered the most sophisticated and complete laboratory complex focused on research and development in the mineral area in Latin America. In it begins the research work on the production and beneficiation methods of the various types of ore.

Ferrous Metals Technology Center (CTF) is also one of the most modern mining and steel technology centers in the world, with a focus on research into the use of iron ore and coal in the steel industry. Currently, Vale is the only mining company in the world to maintain a research center like this.

This pioneering spirit allowed the company to open, in 2020, a pilot plant for the magnetic concentration of low iron ores, without using water. The technology is unique in the world and the first step towards the construction of an industrial plant, which will have a production capacity of 1.5 million tons per year. Vale estimates that in 2024, 1% of the company's entire production will be made using technology, which already has a patent recognized in 59 countries.

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