A conveyor belt transporting coal to Vale’s co-owned steelmaker Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem (CSP) was embargoed by Ibama, Brazil’s environmental authority, after it found leaks of coal particles, soot and continuing damage to the environment.
After requests from companies using the conveyor belt, Ibama said it should give a final answer on Tuesday on whether the embargo should continue.
According to Ibama, the conveyor belt transports coal from ships to conveyors owned by different companies at the Pecem industrial complex, including CSP, which is co-owned by Vale, Posco and Dongkuk.
CSP said it is “following the situation” and “hopes the issue will be solved as soon as possible.”
Companies using the conveyor include CSP and thermoelectric Energia Pecem.
A media report said the equipment was installed five years ago and was fined by Ibama other times for sound pollution and coal dust.