Mr. Benito Barbabela e Silva, Vale S. A, Brazil
Mr. Benito Barbabela e Silva, a seasoned metallurgical and process engineer from Brazil, holds a Bachelor’s in Metallurgical Engineering, a Postgraduate degree in Mining Engineering, and a Master’s in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. Currently pursuing his Ph.D., he focuses on iron ore processing routes for tailings dam elimination. With over 15 years of industry experience, Benito has held key roles at VALE, GERDAU, and COREM in Canada, leading innovations in pelletizing, sintering, dry concentration, and briquetting. His work is deeply rooted in sustainability, decarbonization, and circular economy practices in mining. He is a certified Green Belt Six Sigma specialist and mentor, credited with award-winning process improvements saving millions in operational costs and emissions. Benito has authored several peer-reviewed articles and holds a patent in dry magnetic concentration. Fluent in English, French, and Portuguese, he actively contributes as a reviewer for the Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review.
Publication Profile
Orcid
Academic Background
Mr. Benito Barbabela e Silva has built a robust academic foundation in engineering, progressively advancing his expertise in mineral and metallurgical processes. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. focused on developing innovative iron ore processing routes aimed at eliminating tailings dams—an urgent and impactful research area in sustainable mining. In 2017, he earned his Master of Science in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, where his dissertation applied the Discrete Element Method to model the classification of iron ore green pellets on roller screens. Earlier, he completed a postgraduate program in Mining Engineering at the Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto in 2013, investigating the use of sodium-activated bentonite in drum balling. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in 2009, where he researched high-strength common rails. This structured progression reflects his dedication to technical excellence and sustainable mining innovation.
Professional Experience
Mr. Benito Barbabela e Silva brings over a decade of expertise in process engineering, metallurgical innovation, and sustainable mining practices across major industrial roles in Brazil and Canada. At VALE, as a Master Process Development Engineer, he leads the conceptualization and implementation of dry concentration plants and briquetting systems, focusing on decarbonization and technological advancement in ironmaking. Previously, as a Mining Senior Specialist at GERDAU, he coordinated R&D initiatives for byproduct reuse in construction, agriculture, and metallurgical applications, developing sustainable engineering solutions. At COREM Research Center in Quebec, he contributed to agglomeration and thermal processing through pilot simulations and binder innovation. Earlier at VALE’s Pelletizing Plants, he managed diverse operations, including grinding, sintering, dedusting, and advanced automated control systems. His work integrates Six Sigma methodologies, economic feasibility analyses, and engineering optimization. Benito’s comprehensive experience showcases his leadership in environmental performance, operational excellence, and applied research within the global mining and metallurgy sectors
🔬 Research Focus
Mr. Benito Barbabela e Silva’s research primarily centers on innovative solutions in metallurgical process engineering, with a specialized focus on iron ore agglomeration, pelletization, and sustainable resource utilization. His work reflects deep expertise in developing multi-layer pellet technologies to enhance the efficiency, strength, and thermal performance of iron ore pellets, as demonstrated in his co-authored conference paper “A Comprovação de um Desenvolvimento Inovador para a Aglomeração e Pelotização: Pelotas Multi-Camadas do COREM®.” His research contributes to optimizing thermal processing, binder development, and byproduct recycling, which are vital for reducing environmental impact in mining and steelmaking. Benito also explores energy-efficient process routes, dry concentration methods, and tailings dam elimination, emphasizing decarbonization and circular economy principles. His multidisciplinary approach combines simulation, lab testing, and pilot-scale experimentation, aiming to create competitive, scalable, and environmentally responsible innovations within the field of iron and steel metallurgy.
Publication Top Notes
A COMPROVAÇÃO DE UM DESENVOLVIMENTO INOVADOR PARA A AGLOMERAÇÃO E PELOTIZAÇÃO: PELOTAS MULTI‑CAMADAS DO COREM®; ABM Proceedings; 2019; Contributors: Benito Barbabela Silva, Mathieu Dubé, Michel Garant; DOI: 10.5151/2594-357X-33395