About INB

INB Caldas

The first mineral-industrial complex of this nature in the Country, it has been installed in the Municipality of Caldas, State of Minas Gerais, since 1982. Basically it met the reload demands for the Angra I reactor and the technological development programs.

The complex mineralogical formation and unique characteristics of the ore found in Caldas, led to the development of an original process in the extraction of uranium and associated elements, what was succesfully done by INB technicians. The open sky mining enabled a better use of the uranium ore.

This was the Company unit that starte-up the development of the nuclear fuel cycle technology for generation of electric power, processing the uranium trough chemical treatment - its transformation into yellowcake.

Once its economically feasible uranium is exhausted, the priority is the extration and processing of the mineral at INB Caetité (BA).

From its start-up, control operations have been in place to minimize, reintegrate and stabilize the potential pollution of this area, through the development of Environment Protection and Control Programs.

The mine is under decommissioning and its facilities, equipment and mainly the knowledge of its technical staff, are being used for the development and feasibility of new projects.

» Monazite Chemical Treatment (TQM). With a sophisticated technology, this will put INB within the select group of world producing companies of high purity metals, essential to the high technology industries. These are the rare-earths, also known as third wave materials. Individually separated in form of oxides, they are essential for edge technology applications such as permanent magnets destined to miniaturized engines, sensors, nuclear magnetic ressonance, magnetic levitation (high speed train), catalysts for the automotive industry, among others.

» Treatment of Uranium Bearing Materials as Subproduct. This economic utilization is an alternative and very attractive source of supply of this element.

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