AMPO POYAM VALVES SUPPLIES AN INTEGRATED SMART SOLUTION (ISS), COMPRISING SEVERE SERVICE BALL VALVES, CONTROL PANELS AND AN HPU, FOR CBMM’S TAILINGS THICKENING PROJECT IN BRAZIL

AMPO POYAM VALVES has successfully supplied a complete Integrated Smart Solution (ISS) for the Tailings Thickening – Dam No. 8 project at CBMM’s plant in Araxá, Minas Gerais, Brazil, developed for the end user CBMM (Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia é Mineraçao).

CBMM is the world’s leading niobium producer, controlling around 80% of the global market for this scarce metallic element, essential to a wide range of high-performance steel and technology applications across sectors like infrastructure, energy generation and mobility. The Tailings Thickening – Dam No. 8 project forms part of the company’s broader expansion and operational improvement plan, and represents CBMM’s first tailings pumping system, underscoring the strategic relevance of this new phase for the company.

The AMPO ISS integrated system, installed at the plant’s tailings pumping station, comprises 25 severe service metal-seated ball valves ranging from 2” to 18” in ratings #150 and #600, all fitted with hydraulic actuators, together with 25 local control panels and a single Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) in charge of controlling and operating the complete valve set. AMPO POYAM VALVES also developed the full engineering and calculations required for the interconnection of the system, ensuring reliable integration of valves, control panels and the HPU as a single, coordinated solution — true to AMPO’s ISS philosophy, where intelligence meets valves.

A distinctive feature of the valves is their chromium carbide coating, applied throughout the entire flow passage and on the closing elements, providing enhanced resistance to the highly abrasive and corrosive conditions typical of tailings service. On the R&D side, particular focus was placed on the development, manufacturing and programming of the HPU, specifically engineered to meet the operational requirements of the project.

Hydrostatic tests were witnessed by CBMM during a visit to AMPO’s facilities in May 2026, and the equipment was delivered in June 2026 through the Port of Santos, São Paulo. Start-up and commissioning is scheduled for no earlier than November 2026, when AMPO’s field engineers will support CBMM on site, also conducting training sessions for CBMM’s operating personnel.

This award reinforces AMPO’s strong track record in the Brazilian mining sector, built on previous successful projects with other mining industry key players, which gave CBMM full confidence in AMPO’s designs and capabilities for this new project. AMPO’s ability to supply complete integrated smart solutions — valves, HPU and control panels — from a single source simplifies project execution and removes dependency on multiple suppliers.

With this project, AMPO POYAM VALVES continues to strengthen its position as a trusted partner for the mining industry, delivering fully integrated smart solutions and highly engineered valves for some of the most demanding mining applications worldwide.