A Brazilian judged ruled on Monday that Brazil iron ore producer Vale could resume operations at its Tubarao port in the city of Vitoria, in the state of Espirito Santo, following the facility’s shutdown last week due to sea and air pollution.
Vale has 60 days to present a solution plan for the environment issues surrounding the port.
Analysts warned this week a prolonged shutdown of four days or more at the location could result in the closure of Vale’s southeast system iron ore mines in the state of Minas Gerais.
Vale said the shutdown of the Tubarao port was costing the iron ore producer BRL 35 million/day. Both Vale and ArcelorMittal were prevented from using the port last week on environmental claims. Vale was prevented to load 200,000 mt/day of iron ore.
ArcelorMittal told SteelOrbis that since Vale can operate the port again, the steelmaker can receive from the miner coal and other feedstock to supply its mills in Brazil. ArcelorMittal said that Brazil’s federal justice excluded the steelmaker from the proceeding that caused the shutdown of the Tubarao port, as Arcelor isn’t the operator of the terminal.