eCombustible Energy LLC, a leading innovator and provider of customisable hydrogen-based fuel for thermal industrial applications, has received authorisation from Brazil’s Ministry of State for the Environment and Sustainable Development to begin construction and installation activities of its patented fuel supply modules at a nickel mine in Brazil operated by Anglo American. Anglo has two ferronickel operations in Brazil – Barro Alto and Codemin.

Anglo American is a responsible producer of diamonds (through De Beers), copper, platinum group metals, premium quality iron ore and metallurgical coal for steelmaking, and nickel, with crop nutrients in development, and is committed to being carbon neutral across its operations by 2040. The company recently signed an agreement with the mineral-rich Brazilian state of Minas Gerais to invest up to $800 million through 2025 in local operations.

The permit covers construction and environmental approvals for eCombustible’s Anglo American three-phased project. Phase 1 covers a seven-year supply contract to replace Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in pellet dryers at the mine with fuel supply modules that are designed to allow Anglo American to significantly reduce carbon emissions and support its Environmental, Social and governance (ESG) goals. Subsequent Phases 2 and 3 are expected to include replacing heavy fuel oil and pulverised coal in kilns for a total of 563,000 MMBTU/mth or 225 MW of energy and are subject to negotiation of definitive documentation between eCombustible and Anglo American.

“Permitting for our Anglo-American project in Brazil is an important milestone for our company as we prepare to enter the commercialization phase with pre-commissioning or commercial start expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2022,” said Jorge Arevalo, Chief Executive Officer of eCombustible Energy.