Field Trip: Thursday 22 May 
RHIM’s Pedra Preta magnesite mine, Brumado, Bahia, which has been active since 1943, supplies feedstock raw material for dead burned and caustic calcined magnesia grades for domestic and export markets.
IMFORMED is delighted to be able to offer delegates an exclusive opportunity to visit the operations of RHI Magnesita at Brumado, Bahia, in the heart of Brazil’s famous magnesite producing region.
The Field Trip takes place the day after the conference, ie. Thursday 22 May (Welcome Reception Monday evening, 19 May; conference on Tuesday and Wednesday 20 & 21 May).
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY
PLEASE NOTE: There are very limited places: to attend the Field Trip you must register for the conference and tick box Field Trip attendance; there is an additional fee (US$300 | £240 | €285) for the Field Trip which includes all transport, meals and refreshments; please register online here or contact Maria [email protected].
Provisional itinerary*
05:45 Meet Hotel Lobby for imminent departure
06:00 Depart Tivoli Hotel for Salvador Airport
08:15 Flight from Salvador to Vitória da Conquista (1hr 20min)
10:00 Bus from Vitória da Conquista Airport to Condado, Brumado (2.5hrs)
12:35 Briefing & Brunch (Safety rules; PPE)
13:25 Transfer from Condado to Catiboaba plant
13:35 Catiboaba plant tour
14:05 Transfer from Catiboaba to Pedra Preta mines & plant
14:25 Pedra Preta plant tour (2 Mines, Geology Shed and Rotary Kiln)
16:05 Pedra Preta mine blast
16:35 Social Project (Community Garden); Coffee & Closing
17:20 Bus transfer from Catiboaba to Vitória da Conquista Airport
21:00 Flight from Vitória da Conquista to Salvador Airport
22:20 Arrive Salvador Airport; transfer by bus to Tivoli Hotel
23:55 Arrive Tivoli Hotel
Please wear clothing and footwear as befits a working industrial site visit.
*subject to change
RHIM’s Catiboaba plant, Brumado, Bahia.
Overview
RHI Magnesita (RHIM) is a global leader in magnesia and refractory products. In Brazil, it operates in several states, including the unit located in Brumado, Bahia, where magnesite is extracted from the Pomba and Pedra Preta mines for the production of dead burned (sintered) and caustic calcined magnesia.
A large part of the production of natural magnesite derivatives is consumed by the company itself in refractory manufacturing, while the remainder is for export.
The Brumado unit began operations in 1943 with the opening of the Pedra Preta mine. Four years later, the first vertical sintering furnace was installed in the same location.
The new rotary kiln installed at Brumado as in May 2024; currently in ramp-up phase.
In the 1970s, the HW1 furnace was installed and later, with the expansion of activities and the opening of the Pomba mine, the HW2 furnace.
In 2003, the Catiboaba industrial plant was expanded with the operation of the HW3 furnace. The HW4 Furnace began operations in 2012, together with the expansion of the Ore Treatment Unit – UTM.
In 2020, RHIM announced a €30m investment for the construction of a new 140,000 tpa rotary kiln to accelerate vertical integration in Brumado – the Hexa Brumado Project.
The installation of the new rotary kiln at the Pedra Preta Unit will enable production of sintered magnesia with greater efficiency, extending the life of the mine, and in line with the best sustainability practices, permitting development of a new portfolio of raw materials.
By 2024, the Brumado project was completed and is currently in ramp-up phase.
Raw material (magnesia) production at Brumado was 345,000 tonnes in 2023.
Total production capacity of finished products at Brumado is 600,000 tpa.
Source: RHI Magnesita