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The mission of Vale Technology Development is to maximize the company’s
profitability, to enhance its competitive edge and to support the growth strategies
through safe and environmentally responsible use of technology.
Much of Vale's nickel technology has been developed by Vale Technology Development at its two research and technology facilities in Mississauga, Ontario
and pilot plant facility in Port Colborne, Ontario. The original laboratory, constructed
in 1965 and expanded substantially in 1990, includes over 40,000 square feet of
laboratory and mini-plant space as well as service and office areas. An additional
building spanning 36,000 square feet was purchased in 2002 to house the Voisey's
Bay mini-plant. Our Port Colborne facility, opened in 1961 and recently updated
allows us to test pyrometallurgical processes at a pilot plant level.
The Vale Technology Development group comprises of six disciplines:
Mineral Processing, Pyrometallurgy, Hydrometallurgy, Carbonyl Technology, Product
Applications and Process Engineering. In addition a cross-functional group, Research
Services, supports the research needs of all these disciplines. Included in the
Research Services group are Analytical Services, Information Services, Electrical
Services, Purchasing, Occupational Health & Safety and Maintenance.
With a talented pool of technician, technologist, scientists, researchers and engineers
we develop ideas and innovations and with our facilities are able to test at the
bench, mini-plant and pilot plant level to ensure that our ideas are economically
and technically feasible.
In recent years, Vale Technology Development has played a key role in
the development and commissioning support for a variety of large projects including
the Voisey's Bay project in Newfoundland and Labrador, our nickel project in New Caledonia
and major upgrades at the Sudbury, Thompson and PT Inco operations.
© Vale 2010
Last Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
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