They laid a 529-kilometer pipeline: It carries tons of iron ore.
In Brazil, the massive pipeline that stretches 529 kilometres carries 26.5 million tonnes of iron ore per year. In the transport that is carried out without trucks or trains, iron extracted from mines is mixed with water and conveyed through the pipes to the port.
A 529-kilometer-long giant pipeline stretching from mines to the port in Brazil draws attention with an unconventional transportation method. In the system known as Minas-Rio, millions of tons of iron ore are transported not by truck or train, but mixed with water and conveyed through the pipes.
The line connecting the iron ore mines in Brazil's Minas Gerais state to the Açu Port on the Rio de Janeiro coast has been in use since 2014. The system, passing through a total of 33 municipalities, has an annual capacity of approximately 26.5 million tons of ore.
Iron Ore Transported by Mixing with Water
The most striking feature of the Minas-Rio system is the transport of solid iron ore via a liquid mixture.
Rock pieces extracted from the mine first undergo crushing, grinding, and enrichment stages. After these processes, a high-grade fine concentrate is obtained.
The concentrate, mixed with a specific amount of water, is then turned into a dense mixture known in the industry as slurry. Thanks to pressure, the mixture transported via special pumps to the pipeline overcomes hundreds of kilometers to reach the port.
At the destination, a filtration process separates water from iron ore. The resulting concentrate is transferred to storage areas and then loaded onto ships for shipment to international markets.
Reaches the port after passing through 33 municipalities.
The Minas-Rio pipeline stands out as one of Brazil's most striking industrial infrastructure projects.
Construction of the system began in 2010 and it was commissioned in 2014. The first commercial shipment took place on 25 October 2014.
Along the 529‑kilometre route, sections of the line use 24‑ and 26‑inch diameter pipes. With an annual transport capacity of 26.5 million tonnes, it ensures continuous ore transfer from mines to the port.
Technical Specifications of the Minas-Rio Pipeline.
Total length: 529 kilometres
Route: Minas Gerais – Açu Port
Number of municipalities crossed: 33
Pipe diameters: 24 and 26 inches
Annual transport capacity: 26.5 million tonnes
Construction start: 2010
Transition to operation: 2014
First commercial shipment: 25 October 2014
Thus, the iron ore extracted in Brazil travels hundreds of kilometres through a massive pipeline and is delivered directly to the export port.
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