Vale has completed the implementation of the autonomous operating system for three yard machines at the Ilha Guaíba (TIG) terminal in Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro. The adoption of technology, which allows equipment to operate unmanned, has made it possible to remove people from activities that expose them to risks, making the work environment more comfortable and inclusive, with an increase in the possibility of hiring people with disabilities. Vale invested 10 million dollars in implementing the technology at the TIG port.  

With the autonomous system, it has also been possible to identify gains in operational efficiency. TIG's yard machines work like stackers and reclaimers, that is, they stack the ore that arrives by rail at the yard and also remove this material from the yard, placing it on conveyor belts. The ore is then transported by conveyor belts until it is loaded onto ships. The adoption of technology allowed the recovery rate to increase by 12.3% compared to the previous manual method, positively influencing the port's production capacity.    

Vale's Technical Vice President, Rafael Bittar, explains that the mining company invests in technology and innovation strategically to increase the safety and reliability of operations. “Our production is increasingly closer to the mining of the future, reducing people’s exposure to risk and increasing the agility and productivity of the business. Automation plays a vital role in this evolution, and we will continue to invest in technology to improve our operations and contribute to making mining increasingly safer and more sustainable,” he points out.  

Technology promotes safety and inclusion. 

The implementation of the autonomous system at TIG not only made the operation more efficient but also improved the working conditions of operators and promoted a more inclusive and collaborative work environment. “Before, employees spent most of their shift in the machine cabin. Now, they work in an administrative environment, with less exposure to risk, more infrastructure and integration with other teams, and can even contribute to other processes,” points out the Director of Operations at Portos Sul, Leandro Luiz Barbosa. 

Thainá Viana has been working in yard machinery operations for around ten years and celebrates the evolution of the system. “The issue of safety is fundamental, but we also gain a lot from being in a more comfortable environment that allows interaction and coexistence with other people. This improves our routine and increases our possibilities for learning and growth,” he assesses. 

Around 70 employees from the maintenance and operations teams were trained to work on the new system and no employees were laid off because of the adoption of the technology. The implementation of autonomous machines made it possible for employees with disabilities to operate yard machines.