Antaq, the sea transportation authority in Brazil, has granted authorization for the construction of an iron ore sea terminal in Itaguaí, in the southeastern state of Rio de Janeiro.
The new terminal will be in an area between the ports of Vale and CSN, and will serve the small iron ore miners located in the state of Minas Gerais, also in the southeast.
According to the local press, the list of miners that will benefit from the new terminal includes J.Mendes, Cedro, Vallourec, Mineração Usiminas (MUSA), Herculano, ArcelorMittal Mineração, Itaminas, Minerita, Mineral, AVG, Global, Bemisa and Comisa. Such small miners currently depend on sales to Vale and to CSN to export their production.
Antaq is expected to launch the auction for the construction of the terminal during the first quarter of 2024, with construction costs estimated at $660 million, for a yearly shipping capacity of 30 million mt, and start-up expected for 2026.