Brazilian integrated steelmaker Gerdau has requested from Minas Gerais state an environmental license for a new iron ore site, SteelOrbis has learned.
According to a document filing made available this week by Minas Gerais state, Gerdau intends to explore the site for 21 years. The company expects the new site, which would be located at its Várzea de Lopes iron ore mine in Itabirito, to produce 1.5 million mt/year of iron ore.
The project includes an iron ore pit, an iron ore treatment unit and pipeline to transport the product to its Ouro Branco mill. Gerdau said it the new site would generate, among other products, sinter feed iron ore.