A Rio de Janeiro state court prevented ThyssenKrupp-owned slab producer Companhia Siderurgica do Atlantico (CSA) from receiving an operating license to run its activities by Ceca, a state environment authority, according to a document filing.
The court decision follows an injunction filed by a body of public prosecutors in the state of Rio de Janeiro, as previously reported by SteelOrbis, which demanded new analysis about the impact of the mill’s activities on the environment, health, security and welfare of Santa Cruz and neighboring populations.
Prosecutors claim CSA hasn’t obtained a license to operate since its launch in 2010.
The mill, which had Vale as a former partner in a JV with ThyssenKrupp, has been subject to environmental lawsuits.
A Rio de Janeiro state judge gave CSA ten days to appeal the preliminary decision, and CSA said it hopes to revert the ruling and receive the operating license.
The steelmaker said it complies with all requirements established by local environment authorities, including those established by the TAC agreement, in which the steelmaker is expected to meet a series of obligations.
Despite lacking the operating license, CSA continues to operate under an environmental functioning authorization, which expires on September 28, 2016.