AMPO POYAM VALVES has supplied an integrated smart solution (ISS) for the Tailings Thickening – Dam No. 8 project at the plant of Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM) in Araxá, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The project forms part of CBMM’s wider expansion and operational improvement programme and represents the niobium producer’s first tailings pumping system. CBMM is a major global supplier of niobium products and is estimated to account for around 80% of the global niobium market.
AMPO’s integrated package for the tailings pumping station comprises 25 severe-service, metal-seated ball valves ranging from 2 to 18 inches, with pressure ratings of Class 150 and Class 600. All valves are equipped with hydraulic actuators and are connected to 25 local control panels and a central hydraulic power unit (HPU) designed to operate the complete valve system.
The valves have been engineered for the demanding conditions associated with tailings handling. Chromium carbide coating has been applied across the complete flow passage and closing elements to provide protection against the abrasive and corrosive conditions encountered in mining applications.
AMPO POYAM VALVES was responsible for the engineering and calculations required to integrate the valves, control panels and HPU into a coordinated operating system. Particular attention was given to the design of the HPU, which was developed specifically around the operational requirements of CBMM’s tailings pumping application.
The equipment underwent hydrostatic testing, witnessed by CBMM representatives during a visit to AMPO’s facilities in May 2026. Following completion of testing and preparation, the equipment was shipped through the Port of Santos in São Paulo and delivered in June 2026.
Start-up and commissioning of the system is scheduled for November 2026 or later. AMPO will provide on-site support during commissioning, with field engineers assisting CBMM and conducting training sessions for the company’s operating personnel. The project adds to AMPO’s experience in supplying valve systems for applications involving severe operating conditions. The integrated approach combines valve equipment, actuation, control and hydraulic power into a single engineered package, providing operators with a coordinated system for tailings pumping operations. The supply also highlights the role of specialised valve technology in mining infrastructure, where equipment must withstand high levels of abrasion and corrosion while maintaining reliable operation over extended service periods.
AMPO POYAM VALVES provides engineered valve solutions for demanding applications across industries including mining, energy, oil and gas, and process industries, with a focus on applications requiring specialised materials, actuation and control systems. AMPO POYAM VALVES is a specialist manufacturer of engineered valve solutions for demanding industrial applications, serving sectors such as mining, energy, oil and gas and process industries.
The company develops high-performance valves and integrated valve systems designed to operate under severe conditions involving high pressure, temperature, abrasion and corrosion. Its capabilities include severe-service metal-seated ball valves, hydraulic actuation, control systems and customised hydraulic power units, with a focus on delivering complete engineered solutions for complex industrial projects
