Carajás is the world ’ s largest iron ore producer , and it is estimated to contain iron reserves of around 7.2bn metric tonnes . The mine ’ s power is sourced from the nearby Tucuruí hydroelectric dam , one of Brazil ’ s most prolific power generators and the first hydroelectric project completed in the Amazon Rainforest . Its operator , Brazilian metals and mining specialist Vale , is the largest producer of iron ore and nickel in the world , and operates nine hydroelectric facilities . Tucuruí is not under Vale ’ s remit , however . Carajás is the jewel in Vale ’ s crown , with its rocks containing 67 % iron and thus offering the highest quality ore available . The facility covers 3 % of the National Forest , and Vale is committed to protecting the remaining 97 % through a strategic partnership with ICMBio and Ibama . Among other sustainability projects , Vale has developed an ore reuse system that has enabled the firm to reprocess 5.2mn metric tonnes of ultrafine ore that had been deposited in tailings ponds .

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By NASA Earth Observatory – Public Domain

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