A civil court in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais has put a hold on the equivalent of $71 million in the accounts of flats producer Usiminas, due to environmental damages in the city of Ipatinga, where its plant is located.
According to the public attorney of the state, the company maintains an aggressive procedure in relation to the environment, including the emission of particles condemned by the relevant legislation, known as “black dust” by the population of Ipatinga.
The black dust is reportedly responsible for health problems in the city, chiefly those affecting the respiratory system.
The company said in a statement that, in 2023 alone, it made environmental investments of more than the equivalent to $100 million, in the sintering, blast furnaces and steel converter areas, adding that it is consistently reducing the emission of black dust since 2018, in accordance with the term of adjustment of procedures (TAC) negotiated with the authorities.