Singapore – Brazil-based Vale SA and Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to harness technologies developed by A*STAR to improve the company’s capabilities in exploration, mining, mineral processing,and sustainable logistics management.
As one of the world’s largest mining companies, Vale prioritises sustainability driven solutions and logistics efficiencies throughout its global operations. The company is looking to tap into technologies to improve its operations in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.
Under the MOU, both parties have identified areas of research collaboration to scale-up Vale’s management of natural resources and its logistics operations. These include geometrical modelling, data analytics, as well as environmental and sustainability analysis.
A*STAR has proven strengths in data analytics and its data analytics team has won several international accolades . A*STAR’s expertise can help Vale identify patterns, trends, and other intelligence in their logistics business to predict what will happen in the future. A*STAR's deep R&D capabilities in environmental and sustainability analysis will also enable Vale to explore areas of eco-efficiency across its many business operations.
Mr. Murilo Ferreira, President & Chief Executive Officer of Vale, said, “This agreement with A*STAR is aligned with VALE’s strategic objectives of partnering with top-tier research and development organizations who can work together to identify further opportunities and efficiencies for our business to meet the rising demand of natural resources in Asian markets”.
Dr. Raj.Thampuran, Managing Director of A*STAR, said, “We are pleased that Vale has chosen to anchor their research and development efforts in Singapore with A*STAR. This is a strong endorsement of Singapore’s science and technology capabilities and innovation capacity. Vale’s presence will no doubt raise the competitiveness of this sector.”
Mr. Lee Eng Keat, EDB’s Director of Natural Resources, said, “Singapore has developed strong capabilities in advanced information technologies, such as modelling and data analytics which mining companies can tap on to improve the efficiency of their mining operations and better optimise asset utilisation. This MOU is the first of its kind between the Singapore Government and a global mining company and will provide Singapore’s research community an opportunity to develop new solutions for the mining industry.”
Said Mr Teo Eng Cheong, Chief Executive Officer, International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, “In recent years, we have seen an increasing number of Brazilian companies such as Vale, establish presence in Singapore. Their offices here leverage on Singapore’s strategic location and business infrastructure to conduct their trading operations and corporate functions. At the same time, this benefits the ancillary services sectors and contributes to jobs in Singapore. Vale’s collaboration with A*STAR is a result of strong connections built within Singapore’s robust trade ecosystem. It is also a testament to deepening business ties between Singapore and Brazil.”
For media queries and clarifications, please contact:
Doris Yang
Senior Officer, Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
Tel: +65 6419 6525
Email: [email protected]
________________________________________________________________
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that fosters world-class scientific research and talent to drive economic growth and transform Singapore into a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation driven economy.
In line with its mission-oriented mandate, A*STAR spearheads research and development in fields that are essential to growing Singapore’s manufacturing sector and catalysing new growth industries. A*STAR supports these economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry.
A*STAR oversees 18 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis, as well as their vicinity. These two R&D hubs house a bustling and diverse community of local and international research scientists and engineers from A*STAR’s research entities as well as a growing number of corporate laboratories.
For more information on A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.
About Vale
With headquarters in Brazil and operations in more than 30 countries, Vale is a truly global company, committed to quality of life and environmental preservation in all of our regions of operation. Our offices, operations, exploration and joint ventures are spread over the five continents.
Vale’s efforts regarding R&D encompass its Directorate of Technology and Innovation as well as two units of the Vale Institute of Technology (ITV, in Portuguese), created in 2009. Our aim is to promote medium and long-term research that may potentially bring about fundamental changes in Vale’s business structures and processes, respecting the environment and local communities.
For more information on Vale, please visit www.vale.com
