Brazilian steelmaker Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN), which owns subsidiary CSN Mineração, confirmed it is considering decommissioning its Auxiliar do Vigia iron ore dam in the city of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais state, according to a Brazilian securities exchange (CVM) document filing.
The local securities regulator asked CSN to provide further details about two iron ore dams, the Vigia, and the Auxiliar do Vigia, out of its Ouro Preto complex, following a media report citing a prosecutors’ report about the structures.
In its response to CVM, CSN confirmed the findings of Minas Gerais prosecutors, which said the steelmaker has an office, a restaurant and a training room just below or along the way of the two dams, similar to the layout of the Brumadinho site.
Prosecutors also said the safety of the two dams “doesn’t bring peace,” as they contested the stability of the dams. CSN hired an independent auditor, which said the dams were safe.
CSN said all prosecutors recommendations are being addressed by CSN Mineração, “respecting current legislation,” which includes decommissioning the Auxiliar do Vigia dam.
CSN declined to provide a timeline for when it could decommission the Auxiliar do Vigia dam. It said next steps are subject to technical reviews due to the complexity of the matter.