Minas Gerais state Ministerio Publico (MPMG), a body of public prosecutors, have filed two proceedings to investigate an explosion at local flats steelmaker Usiminas last week, as reported by SteelOrbis.
MPMG said public prosecutors will determine if the blast resulted in damages for the environment. Additionally, prosecutors will also investigate under a criminal investigative proceeding eventual environmental crimes or physical harm the incident caused, as 34 people were reportedly wounded.
Usiminas reported three accidents involving workers in less than a week. On Monday, an electrician from a third-party company was injured at the Ipatinga mill and as a result had to amputate an arm. Last week, another worker died.
Usiminas said on Monday it resumed production at its No. 1 and No. 2 blast furnaces at its Ipatinga mill, after the Friday blast. It also resumed operations at its cold rolling mill, Unigal Usiminas unit and dispatch area.
Usiminas forecasted to resume heavy plate output at its Ipatinga mill on Tuesday. Hot strip production should resume on Thursday. The mill’s No. 3 blast furnace should resume on August 15.