03/10/2019
Next in the series of content about the MinerALL Challenge and its startups is EcoMud, which came up with the challenge of finding a solution to a logistic problem common to mining companies and municipalities: the poor quality of the roads and the high cost of asphalt, as well as the low durability of some of its alternatives. Making use of mining tailings, the startup has developed a low-cost, highly resilient pavement able to preserve the natural look of the soil.
EcoMud has three partners: Vitor Hugo, graduated in Business Administration from FUMEC University, MBA student at the Business Behavior Institute and Executive Director of the startup; Camila Santos, Geological Engineering student at the University of Ouro Preto (UFOP) and Chief Financial Officer; and Thacio Carvalho, Technical Director and graduating in Civil Engineering at the same educational institution. It should be noted that EcoMud is the winning team of the Phase 1 MinerALL Challenge, completed in December 2018.
Like the other startups participating in this edition of the MinerALL Challenge, EcoMud found in mud, classified as inert and non-hazardous Class II B waste product, the raw material for the development of its solution.
According to Vitor Hugo, due to its high resistance and ability to preserve the natural appearance of the soil, the product, formed by mud and a binder, can be used in condominiums and other environments. “Moreover, with our product we can contribute to the infrastructure and quality of life of communities that are impacted by poor road conditions in the region,” he says.
The EcoMud team is excited about participating in Phase 2 of the MinerALL Challenge, especially because it increases their personal and professional progress. “The program has been contributing to the development of skills that are in high demand by the market today, such as resilience and creativity,” says Vitor Hugo. He said Samarco’ s support in technical, legal and business-related issues has been critical.
MinerALL Challenge
The open-innovation project Challenge MinerALL is led by Samarco, corporate accelerator Neo Ventures and Escalab, a scaling technology center. It is supported by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), the Center for Development of Nuclear Technology (CDTN) and the National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT Midas).
In the coming weeks, learn more about the other startups that are part of the first edition of the MinerALL Challenge.
Also learn more about Element [Si], the first startup in the series; understand the differences between the MinerALL Challenge and the Mining Hub; and learn more about the alternatives developed by Samarco for the reuse of tailings, a by-product of iron ore beneficiation.
