Smart and connected production, artificial intelligence, and network technology are some of the key technological innovations that will impact the industry and society in the coming years, according to the National Confederation of Industry (CNI). For Hydro Paragominas, a mining company that extracts bauxite in the municipality of Paragominas (PA) and celebrates its 17th anniversary this March, innovation is already part of the routine.

"We aim to create a more viable society by developing natural resources into products and solutions in an innovative and efficient way. This means a constant search for pioneering technologies for bauxite mining, thus contributing to the growth and sustainable development of our activities, the municipality, and Pará," says Hydro Paragominas' industrial director, Anderson Martins.

Over the past few years, Hydro Paragominas has combined innovation and pioneering in various fronts, such as one of the first experiences in the world of bauxite mining with the remote operation of the D11 dozer, used to move large amounts of material short distances in enclosed spaces. "The remote cabin, besides being an inventive solution, aligns with Hydro's diversity policy of investing in a more welcoming environment: the work becomes more comfortable for all operators, potentially including more women and people with disabilities in the operation of the dozers. It also stimulates innovation in general through team interaction with cutting-edge technologies," explains Edil Pimentel, Mine Operation Manager at Hydro Paragominas.

Moreover, the mine operates with the "Tailing Dry Backfill" methodology, pioneering in the bauxite mining industry in Brazil. The method allows the inert bauxite mining residue to be returned to the already opened and mined areas, instead of being deposited in separate and permanent storage areas. Thus, it significantly reduces the environmental footprint of bauxite mining and increases operational safety.

Sustainable Transportation

In 2023, Hydro Paragominas introduced electric cars into the operational routine, replacing conventional light models fueled with diesel, and also made a change in the vehicle leasing contract structure, replacing 50% of the diesel combustion fleet with ethanol combustion vehicles. The miner also acquired two SANY SKT90E electric trucks, each with a 60-ton capacity, in partnership with Irmen Máquinas.

"These are some of the mine's initiatives that contribute to Hydro's goal of neutralizing its carbon emissions by 2030. In these 17 years of operation, we have recorded significant results in the fields of sustainability and innovation through valuable partnerships like that with the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) and through the Brazil-Norway Biodiversity Research Consortium (BRC), with research that aids in the improvement of natural resource management in the mine region," comments Anderson Martins.

Reforestation

In 2024, Hydro Paragominas became the first bauxite miner in Brazil to bet on innovation to scale up environmental rehabilitation, using drones in the Brazilian Amazon. For this initiative, the company hired the Franco-Brazilian startup Morfo, whose method will be tested and has the potential to become another option for the company, which also works with nucleation, traditional planting, and natural regeneration.

"This initiative will contribute and reinforce Hydro Paragominas' rehabilitation goals. The objective is to work on the sustainability of our operations through technology, seeking differentiated solutions in the market. Currently, more than 3,000 hectares have been reforested in the mine region since 2009, equivalent to 3,000 football fields. In 2023, the equivalent of 328 hectares were rehabilitated," explains Jonilton Paschoal, Hydro Paragominas' Environmental Manager.