João Monlevade is set to receive one of its largest investments in recent decades as Bemisa prepares to begin production at the Pedra Branca iron ore extraction project in the second half of 2025. The Rio de Janeiro-based mining company is investing R$100 million in the project, which is expected to create 400 direct jobs.
According to A Notícia, the Pedra Branca mine is entirely located within the municipality, on the Sabaru Farm, owned by farmer and businessman Caetano Martins da Costa.
Project Scope and Production Capacity
Bemisa’s mining rights cover a 194.38-hectare area, forming a polygon between João Monlevade, Bela Vista de Minas, and Itabira. This site is situated immediately west of ArcelorMittal’s Andrade mine. Machines are already in operation, preparing for production, with offices and supporting infrastructure already in place.
The mine has an estimated total capacity of 130 million tons, including 33 million tons of high-quality ore with an average iron content of 58.5%. Once fully operational, Pedra Branca is projected to produce 1.5 million tons of iron ore annually. This will increase Bemisa’s total iron ore output to approximately 5 million tons per year, elevating the company to the status of a medium-sized producer.
Extensive Geological Research
Bemisa reports that the development of the Pedra Branca project involved extensive geological research, including two diamond drilling campaigns totaling approximately 10,000 meters across more than 90 drill holes.
Sustainable Mining Practices
The Pedra Branca project features a mobile crushing and screening plant designed for dry processing of high-grade ores. Notably, it will not utilize tailings dams, eliminating the risk of dam failures like those seen in Mariana and Brumadinho.
Bemisa’s Regional Presence
Near João Monlevade, Bemisa also operates the Baratinha complex in Antônio Dias. In 2023, the company ranked as the 23rd largest payer of the Financial Contribution for Mineral Exploration (CFEM) in Brazil.