Brazilian steelmaker Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN) was ordered by a local court to adopt emergency measures at two iron ore dams in Minas Gerais state, following a request from state prosecutors.
State prosecutors said a court has ordered CSN-owned Minerios Nacional to perform emergency works at both the B2 and the supporting B2 iron ore dams to guarantee their structural stability.
CSN has 15 days to execute an emergency action plan as well as a safety plan for the mining complex located in the city of Fernandinho, in the state of Minas Gerais. In the meantime, CSN is moving its iron ore waste to other mining units.
CSN must also prepare an action plan to keep the safety of all structures of iron ore waste retention at its Fernandinho complex. Additionally, it must continue an external, independent audit that is currently overseeing repairs and the use of reinforcing structures at the dams. Otherwise, CSN could pay fines of between BRL 30,000 and BRL 1 million a day.
In addition to the two halted iron ore dams, CSN operates an iron mine at its Fernandinho complex, which resumed operations in October last year. It produces about 18,000 mt/day of iron ore.