A privately held Brazilian company, CBMM (Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração) was founded in 1955 in Araxá, Minas Gerais, Brazil, site of a large niobium ore deposit. Decades of investment in niobium technology, niobium applications and customer service have earned CBMM the position of the world's leading niobium producer and the sole company present in all niobium market segments.
CBMM counts on a team of over 1,800 highly trained, dedicated professionals who are committed to providing cutting-edge niobium products and technology to over 300 customers in 50 countries around the globe.
Logistics is key to efficient customer service and is one of CBMM's many advantages. In addition to four subsidiaries, the Company maintains an extensive network of outsourced warehouses strategically positioned around the globe. These warehouses stock a solid inventory, ensuring that customers have access to a steady flow of high quality niobium products.
A commitment to the environment, employees and the community that dates to the Company's earliest days has solidified CBMM's reputation as a sustainable enterprise. In addition to numerous certifications and honors, including the first mining and metallurgy company in the world to earn ISO 14001 certification, CBMM's mission is sustainable: expand the use of niobium technology, transforming a natural resource into solutions to build a better world.
The Moreira Salles Group has been the majority shareholder of CBMM since 1965. Between 2002 and 2006 the Group increased its ownership from 55% to 100% through successive purchases of minority shareholder Molycorp's stake in the Company. In 2011 a 15% share of CBMM was sold to a Japanese-South Korean consortium and another 15% stake was acquired by a group of Chinese companies.
An agreement signed in 1972 between CBMM and Minas Gerais state-owned Camig (now Codemig) disciplines the best use of Araxá's niobium deposit and ensures to Codemig a 25% participation of the adjusted net profit of the entire niobium operation.