FAM Minerals & Mining GmbH, member of BEUMER Group, secures win for FAM iron ore mining equipment in Brazil

Gerdau S.A. is one of the leading long steel producers in the Americas and one of the largest recyclers and special steel suppliers in the world. The Gerdau Açominas steel plant in Ouro Branco/MG is the company’s flagship facility in Brazil with a production capacity of over 8 million t of steel per year.

The steel plant has been operational for more than 30 years and needed to install new machines and replace some in its stockyard to ensure the continued efficiency of its iron ore operations. Under one contract, BEUMER South America will supply a new FAM bucket wheel reclaimer – bridge type with two bucket wheels and a 36-m bridge conveyor. The plant is designed for a capacity of around 1200 t/h. The other order is for an iron ore stacker with a boom of 30 m, which is designed for an output of 1700 t/h, and reclaimer with a boom of 43 m, which is designed for an output of 975 t/h.

The significant contract award follows BEUMER Group’s acquisition and integration of the former FAM operations in Brazil, Peru and Chile. Commenting on the win, Bruno Rocha Ribeiro, Head of Project Management, BEUMER Brazil, says: “Securing both contracts from Gerdau S.A. for this steel plant upgrade against stiff international and local competition is testament to the expertise and professionalism of our team in Brazil. By combining the skills and expertise inherent in the FAM and BEUMER brands, we excel in mining and handling iron ore in challenging environments. We are continuing to deploy solutions that improve efficiency and drive down operational costs for our customers. We look forward to further developing the relationship with Gerdau S.A. and supporting their aim to modernise iron ore operations at this flagship site.”