09 November 2010
MUSCAT: As many as 65 industry experts, representing Vale's key partners and clients from more than 25 international organisations, have congregated in Oman for five days, exhibiting the latest technological trends in Direct Reduction (DR), DR processes and iron ore product applications.
Brazil-based Vale, the world's largest producer of iron ore and pellets, hosted an opening ceremony to commemorate the commencement of its seventh direct reduction seminar at Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa.
Aimed at further fostering relationships with Vale's stakeholders, the technical seminar will also showcase the company's state-of-the-art iron ore pelletising plant and distribution centre underway in Sohar that will cater to growing steel demands in the Middle East, North Africa and India.
The opening event was organised under the patronage of Nasser bin Khamis Al Jashmi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas.
Sergio Leite, country manager for Vale in Oman commented, "As a global mining company that has sustainability as its guiding principal, we aim to constantly implement our forward-looking socio-economic policies with our customers, partners and stakeholders, setting industry benchmarks and spreading prosperity where we operate."
"The Direct Reduction seminar comes as a breakthrough for Vale and Oman.
"On its seventh edition, it is the first time that it is being held outside Brazil and Oman was chosen to host it. I believe that this seminar will help to position Oman internationally as a base for knowledge exchange in the industry related fields directly contribute to Oman's constantly evolving diversified economy," he added.
The world-class seminar will cover various topics from the DR arena including, agglomeration, raw materials and burden operations, beneficiation and technological characterisation, direct reduction operation, modelling, simulation, controlling and automation, technological and market trends as well as new routes and fundamentals.
Vale's Oman investment
Vale's key regional customers participating at the seminar include Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Tuwairqi Steel Mills, Hadeed Saudi Iron and Steel, Gulf Sponge Iron, Welspun Maxsteel, Libyan Iron and Steel, Al Ezz Dekheila Steel, Direct Reduction Iron, Emirates Steel Industries, Shadeed Iron and Steel, Khouzestan Steel and Suez Steel.
Vale's total investments in the Sultanate amounts to approximately $2 billion, including $1.35 billion for the construction of the plant and distribution centre and $250 million to build a two-kilometre deepwater bulk jetty in partnership with Sohar Industrial Port Company.
Vale has also partnered with Oman Shipping Company to build four of the largest bulk carriers in the world with a capacity of 400,000 tonnes to transport iron ore from Brazil to Oman at the cost of $500 million.
Vale set up its Middle East office in Muscat in December 2007 by inaugurating Vale Oman pelletising company with a view to expanding its presence in key regional markets.
The company broke ground for its state-of-the-art industrial complex in Sohar in March 2009 comprising a pelletising plant, bulk terminal and distribution centre with a capacity of 40 million metric tonnes.
In May 2010, the company announced its strategic partnership with the Omani government.
MUSCAT: As many as 65 industry experts, representing Vale's key partners and clients from more than 25 international organisations, have congregated in Oman for five days, exhibiting the latest technological trends in Direct Reduction (DR), DR processes and iron ore product applications.
Brazil-based Vale, the world's largest producer of iron ore and pellets, hosted an opening ceremony to commemorate the commencement of its seventh direct reduction seminar at Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa.
Aimed at further fostering relationships with Vale's stakeholders, the technical seminar will also showcase the company's state-of-the-art iron ore pelletising plant and distribution centre underway in Sohar that will cater to growing steel demands in the Middle East, North Africa and India.
The opening event was organised under the patronage of Nasser bin Khamis Al Jashmi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas.
Sergio Leite, country manager for Vale in Oman commented, "As a global mining company that has sustainability as its guiding principal, we aim to constantly implement our forward-looking socio-economic policies with our customers, partners and stakeholders, setting industry benchmarks and spreading prosperity where we operate."
"The Direct Reduction seminar comes as a breakthrough for Vale and Oman.
"On its seventh edition, it is the first time that it is being held outside Brazil and Oman was chosen to host it. I believe that this seminar will help to position Oman internationally as a base for knowledge exchange in the industry related fields directly contribute to Oman's constantly evolving diversified economy," he added.
The world-class seminar will cover various topics from the DR arena including, agglomeration, raw materials and burden operations, beneficiation and technological characterisation, direct reduction operation, modelling, simulation, controlling and automation, technological and market trends as well as new routes and fundamentals.
Vale's Oman investment
Vale's key regional customers participating at the seminar include Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Tuwairqi Steel Mills, Hadeed Saudi Iron and Steel, Gulf Sponge Iron, Welspun Maxsteel, Libyan Iron and Steel, Al Ezz Dekheila Steel, Direct Reduction Iron, Emirates Steel Industries, Shadeed Iron and Steel, Khouzestan Steel and Suez Steel.
Vale's total investments in the Sultanate amounts to approximately $2 billion, including $1.35 billion for the construction of the plant and distribution centre and $250 million to build a two-kilometre deepwater bulk jetty in partnership with Sohar Industrial Port Company.
Vale has also partnered with Oman Shipping Company to build four of the largest bulk carriers in the world with a capacity of 400,000 tonnes to transport iron ore from Brazil to Oman at the cost of $500 million.
Vale set up its Middle East office in Muscat in December 2007 by inaugurating Vale Oman pelletising company with a view to expanding its presence in key regional markets.
The company broke ground for its state-of-the-art industrial complex in Sohar in March 2009 comprising a pelletising plant, bulk terminal and distribution centre with a capacity of 40 million metric tonnes.
In May 2010, the company announced its strategic partnership with the Omani government.
© Times of Oman 2010
