Paulo Misk , President of Largo Resources Brasil , discusses the long-term potential of vanadium with Mining Global
One of the leading mineral exporters worldwide , rich in bauxite , niobium , manganese and iron ore resources , the abundance of raw materials and high levels of vanadium ( V205 ) has led Largo Resources to establish the Vanadio de Maracás Menchen Mine project in Bahia State , Brazil .
Gaining up to $ 91mn in revenue in 2018 ’ s first quarter ( a 210 % increase over Q1 2017 ), the project will aim to cater to global demands for stronger and lighter steel , as well as high quality vanadium , required by aerospace and chemical industries .
“ This was a very challenging project , but Largo Resources have made it happen . We are very happy with the results considering all the developments and improvements we have made to deliver operational excellence ,” explains Paulo Misk , President of Largo Resources Brasil .
“ Demand for vanadium is growing across the automotive , aerospace industries and use of batteries . It also helps the environment , where in just one kilogram of V2O5 in one tonne of steel , its strength is increased by 30 %.
“ We call this a green metal , where you don ’ t need to use as much vanadium , reducing environmental impacts . If vehicles are lighter , for example , they will consume less fuel . Huge improvements have also been made in the aerospace industry , with regards to consumption .”
PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES Largo Resources has been keen to unlock the vanadium open-pit mine ’ s potential . Mining the ore and sending the mineral to a crushing plant , it is here that the company works to upgrade the vanadium content through dry magnetic separation , where all crushed material is fed into the milling process .
“ After milling , we move to the wet magnetic separation stage and
106 June 2018