Global Mines

Making our list at number eight is the Samarco Alegria iron ore mine . Located in the state of Minas Gerais in south-east Brazil , the mine is one of the largest iron ore mines in the world based on proven and probable reserves . The mine , which is a 50-50 joint venture with BHP Billiton and Vale , produced roughly 22 million tons of iron ore in 2012 . The mine is estimated to contain 1.89 billion tons of iron ore .

Another iron ore mine based in Brazil , the Vargem Grande Mine produced 22.6 million tons of iron ore in 2012 . Owned and operated by mining conglomerate Vale , the mine is estimated to contain roughly 2.53 billion tons of proven and probable iron ore reserves .

The Vargem Grande Mine is broken up into three open-pit mines : Tamandua , C apitao do Mato and Aboboras . Production at the mining complex is expected to last until 2058 .

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