Brazilian miner Vale planned to eliminate water use for iron ore processing at its Carajas mines by 2027. This shift to fully dry processing, already implemented for 90% of its Northern System output, will prevent tailings waste generation and remove the need for new dams. 

The Northern System, producing over half of Vale's 2024 output, will operate entirely on natural moisture.

Concurrently, Vale's Gelado project will double pellet feed production by 2026 using recycled tailings. The company targets 10% of its total production via circular mining by 2030.