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In a news story that promises to transform the region, Congonhas is about to become the epicenter of one of Brazil’s largest mining investments.
Although many believe the project is limited to a local impact, the true scope of this initiative is much broader and can profoundly change the economic dynamics and beyond.
With a promise to create thousands of jobs and revolutionize ore production, CSN Mineração is poised to leave its indelible mark.
Investment and Job Creation
CSN Mineração, a subsidiary of Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN), will allocate an impressive amount of R$ 15 billion for an ambitious project in Congonhas, a city located in the state of Minas Gerais.
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The bulk of this investment, about R$ 8 billion, will be employed in the construction of a new iron ore processing plant at the Casa de Pedra complex, in Congonhas, located in the Central region of the state.
The project is eagerly anticipated, promising to not only modernize the company’s operations but also generate a significant number of job opportunities.
The works, which will begin in 45 days, will create 4,000 temporary job positions during the construction period.
Additionally, the new plant, when it starts operating in the last quarter of 2027, is expected to employ about 1,500 employees permanently, increasing the total number of CSN Mineração staff in the state by approximately 20%.
Innovation and Sustainability
In an exclusive interview with Diário do Comércio, Otto Alexandre Levy Reis, director of Investments at CSN Mineração, explained that the new unit will produce pellet feed, a high-grade and sustainable ore.
When the plant, named Itabirito P15, is fully operational in mid-2028, it will have an annual production capacity of 16.5 million tons.
This pellet feed will enable steel mills to produce steel with reduced carbon emissions, utilizing hydrogen.
While part of the production will be destined for CSN group plants, the majority will be exported, especially to an agreement with Japanese steel mills and buyers in the Middle East.
CSN Mineração positions itself as the second largest exporter of iron ore in Brazil, behind only Vale.
Economic and Social Benefits for Congonhas
The new plant will not only bring direct economic benefits to Congonhas and Minas Gerais but also have a positive impact on local revenue.
Reis highlights that the investment in equipment and vehicles for the plant will contribute to the Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS), while the operation of the unit will increase Congonhas’s revenue by 70% through the payment of the Financial Compensation for Mineral Exploitation (Cfem). In just the last 18 months, CSN Mineração has paid R$ 730 million in Cfem to the municipality.
In addition to fiscal benefits, the project will also provide an increase in the salary mass of residents and stimulate local commerce, with rising purchases and demand for services.
Ore Reuse and Sustainability
A notable aspect of the project is the reuse of low-grade stored ore, which will be transformed into a high-grade product, surpassing Carajás ore.
This will not only increase production efficiency but also extend the life of the Casa de Pedra mine for over 25 years, beyond 2080.
Investments in Technology and Infrastructure
Of the total invested, around R$ 3.5 billion will be allocated to the purchase of equipment and vehicles, including larger trucks that will save fuel and reduce gas emissions.
The other half of the investment will be applied to the decharacterization of dams. CSN Mineração is investing in advanced technologies to reprocess tailings and remove existing structures, aiming to eliminate all dams, including that of Casa de Pedra.
How do you think this huge investment in Congonhas will impact the economy and environment of the region in the long run?
Um bom investimento
Uma ****! Cidade suja, poluída, já com falta de água devido a essa exploração em casa de pedra! Sem falar na sujeira do ar e das casas!
A ganância pelo lucro está destruindo a cidade. Políticos estão enchendo o bolso enquanto a população adoece.