Mineral processing equipment manufacturer Multotec has expanded its operation in Brazil with the opening of a manufacturing facility. This enables the company to bring its manufacturing capabilities closer to its customers in the country.

Located in the city of Contagem, in the south-eastern state of Minas Gerais, the manufacturing facility is within close proximity of several iron-ore mines that require a range of mineral processing equipment for their plants.

Multotec Brazil country manager Anthony Artin explains that Multotec had identified Brazil as a potential area of growth many years ago, given that it is the second-largest iron-ore producer globally.

He says that, initially, Multotec Chile was overseeing the entire South American continent, which led to the decision to open a sales office in Brazil in 2019, giving focused service to Multotec’s customers in the country.

“The dynamics of Brazil are very unique as it is the fifth biggest country in the world, with the sixth largest population. It has strict and complex import regulations,” Artin explains.

He adds that the feedback from clients emphasised the importance of localised sales and manufacturing in Brazil. Commercial and legislative requirements prompted a shift in Multotec’s approach, transitioning from a sales office to establishing a manufacturing facility in the country.

“Our clients highlighted . . . the need for local manufacturing facilities to cater to the Brazilian market,” Artin says.

The facility focuses mostly on screening media, using compression moulding for the production of rubber screen panels and also hand-casting polyurethane (PU) panels. However, customers have been increasingly requesting other products too, such as the samplers and spirals that are used in mineral processing and separation.

“There are currently two bays in the manufacturing facility. One is used for stockholding, assemblies and shipping, while the other is used for fabrication. Fabrication is done in two areas, with presses used for compression moulding of rubber and hand-casting moulding PU tables, alongside a PU preparation section and ovens,” Artin says.

He notes that the facility has the capacity to produce 15 t to 20 t a month of elastomers, employing trained people in manufacturing and in stores, shipping and receiving.

He adds that plans are in place to increase the factory’s manufacturing capability in terms of injection moulding and more compression moulding, and that more machines will be incorporated into the operations, resulting in more people being employed in the future.

In addition, the premises also contain an office that is currently staffed by commercial, sales and administrative people. Having the office and manufacturing facility in one location is an added advantage, Artin says.

“It is beneficial having the people who sell the products located in the same space as production. They can thus understand the intricacies of the product and the processes that are involved in the manufacturing of the equipment,” he says.

Artin explains that the ultimate goal is to have a fully localised branch.

“We want to have an all-Brazilian team, working for Multotec Brazil. Local partners and suppliers are key to us as we rely on local raw materials to deliver completely locally manufactured products,” he says.

While the company’s focus has been on establishing the manufacturing facility, Artin says it has already applied for an extension of its environmental licence to ramp up its monthly production as it takes advantage of Brazil’s current lithium boom, which presents opportunities in dense medium circuits.

Multotec Brazil will receive support from Multotec's global industry knowledge and expertise, leading to improved operational efficiencies and the ability to provide customers with a more comprehensive product offering.

Additionally, the operations in Brazil will collaborate with those in Chile on the Multotec range of customised samplers.