Switzerland-based power and automation technology group ABB has announced that its Oman-based subsidiary ABB Oman LLC has signed a three-year maintenance agreement for Brazilian iron ore giant Vale's new iron ore pellet plant and distribution center in Oman.
This maintenance partnership agreement will be a continuation from the current agreement where ABB is responsible for the management and planning of the entire commissioning phase of the project.
Vale is investing $1.3 billion in a 9 million mt new direct reduction iron ore pelletizing plant and a 40 million mt distribution center, located in Sohar Industrial Port in Oman. For Vale, this will be its first pelletizing operation outside of Brazil.
The new plant will operate with 720 employees, of which 202 employees will be part of ABB's maintenance team at the site.