Terra Goyana Mining (TGM), one of the largest bauxite producers in Brazil, is leading the way with sensor-based sorting (SBS) technology in bauxite beneficiation, establishing a benchmark for mineral research, development, and commercialisation. TGM represents 5.5 per cent of Brazil's national output and operates within the Barro Alto mine in Goiás, with a commercial hub established at Goiânia and trade links maintaining their international relationships across South America, Europe and Asia.
As a member of the Supergram group, TGM leverages vertical integration through Bautek (a calcined bauxite producer), thus achieving greater value capture in the supply chain. Locating its operations in Poços de Caldas in the State of Minas Gerais provides additional geographic coverage of the aluminium corridor in Brazil.
Tackling beneficiation challenges with technology
As a quality-conscious bauxite-producing company, TGM has to deal with the problem of transforming compact bauxite into premium ore with strict limits on aluminium and calcium content. When the company used traditional screening methods on its bauxite, the screening often missed separating anorthosite, a calcium- and iron-rich lithology, largely degrading its product. As a solution to this, TGM worked with STEINERT Latinoamericana to introduce SBS.
Ore sorting, unlike traditional wet processes, employs advanced sensors (X-ray transmission, colour, 3D laser, magnetic induction, etc.) to classify ore in real-time without the intermediate water usage and tailings dams that the industry is trying to move away from. This competitive advantage is important in an industry that has been criticised for its environmental impact.
According to José Maurício, TGM’s Planning Manager, “The application of an ore sorter is crucial to meeting the requirements of specific markets, such as the refractory abrasives market, due to the strict standards regarding calcium oxide (CaO) content.” By lowering CaO contamination below 0.15 per cent while lifting Al₂O₃ grades to 62–63 per cent, TGM is now able to supply a premium product.
Responsible growth and stewardship
The development is in line with TGM’s membership in the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) in February 2023, given that it shows its commitment to sustainability and responsible production. The emphasis on both technological advancement and stewardship represents a broader trend in the bauxite industry relating to how efficiency, sustainability, and market-driven beneficiation intersect.
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