Brazilian pellet producer Samarco, a 50/50 JV between Vale and BHP Billiton, could see its efforts to restart its iron ore mine affected by another recent court decision.
According to a Bloomberg media report, a Brazilian court accepted a request by prosecutors to protect a forested area that encompasses the Alegria Sul pit, which Samarco planned to use for storing waste.
Previously, a Minas Gerais state environment authority said Samarco could resume output by either July or August. However, the court issued a “temporary ban” on “issuing licenses or permits for environmental intervention” in a section of the Uaimii forest, according to a Minas Gerais state document.
According to Bloomberg, a state prosecutor informed the Minas Gerais environmental regulator about the court’s decision. However, the prosecutor did not respond when asked to confirm that the court’s decision will prevent the granting of licenses to Samarco.
Despite the court ruling, Samarco said it still expects to resume operations by the second half of the year.