China and Korea Building Steel Mill in Brazil

The future installation of a second steel mill in São LuÀ­s, capital of the state of Maranhão, in Brazil’s Northeast region, has been confirmed by the governor of that state, José Reinaldo Tavares.

The Korean steelmaker, Pohang Steel Company (Posco), one of the world’s largest, has signed a protocol. When operational, the new mill will produce 4 million tons of steel annually. Posco presently produces over 35 million tons of steel a year.


The Posco project rollout follows the recent announcement of the construction of another steel mill at the São Luis industrial center by the Chinese company, Baosteel. According to governor Tavares, the two steel mills signed similar installation and production contracts.


The Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN), Brazil’s largest steel producer, informed earlier this year that it is going to invest around US$ 850 million over a period of 30 months. The funds will be turned to expansion of production and will be invested in mining and port infrastructure.


CSN also revealed that the money will be used in expanding the productive capacity of Casa de Pedra mine, elevating production to 40 million tons per year, against the current 6 million, in a palletising plant for the production of 15 million tons per year, against the current 6 million, as well as a port for export of produce.


“The accomplishment of this investment is subject to the approval of adequate financing, including favourable regulating conditions,” stated the company.


Profile


CSN was founded on April 9th, 1941, and started its activities on October 1st, 1946. As Brazil’s primary steel producer, CSN is a major landmark in the Brazilian industrialization process.


Its steel helped to create the very first national industries, which form the core of the present Brazilian manufacturing base.


Privatized in April 1993, CSN underwent thorough re-structuring and today it is a highly competitive company, present and pro-active both nationally and internationally, constantly investing in the quality of its products.


CSN is one of the largest steel making groups in Latin America, with a production capacity of 5.8 million tons of raw steel per year.


Being Brazil’s third largest consumer of electricity, in 1999 CSN inaugurated its own center for thermoelectric co-generation, CTE. With this venture, it started generating about 60% of the energy needs at President Vargas Mill.


The company is also part of the consortia of hydroelectric plants of Itá, located on the border between the southern states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina; and of Igarapava, in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais.


Constantly interested in developing and implementing logistic solutions to meet market requirements, CSN seeks to stand out from its competitors through integrated logistics involving mines, power plants, railways and ports. CSN has already achieved some of the world’s lowest operational costs.


To ensure dependable and flexible transportation of its raw materials and products, CSN has a controlling stake in MRS Logistica SA. Today, in the port of Sepetiba, the company operates the coal terminal (TECAR) and the container terminal (TECON).


CSN’s products are filtered to the export market through the ports of Sepetiba and Angra dos Reis, both in the southeastern state of Rio de Janeiro.

Tags:

You May Also Like

In Brazil, Bono Calls Lula Something the World Never Saw

Pop star Bono met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva this weekend ...

World Crisis Putting the Brakes on Brazil: Growth Forecast Down

C:\bzz\brazzil\brazzilmag.com\images\stories\2011\aug11\ The Finance minister of Brazil, Guido Mantega, admitted before the Senate that the ...

Brazil, Through a Kid’s Eyes

As the years went by, my longing to see all things Brazilian secretly grew. ...

Brazil’s Petrobras Invests Heavy in the US and Argentina

Petrobras, Brazil’s government owned oil company is exploring in waters 1,000 meters deep south ...

Brazilian Small Farmer Learns Technology Is His Friend

Technology is no longer a privilege of large rural properties in Brazil. More and ...

A Brazilian face protest: Não ALCA - No FTAA

Neither US Nor Brazil Can Set Latin America’s Agenda Anymore

Latin American and Caribbean nations have long regarded the United States not only as ...

Brazil’s Gol Adds 40 Boeing’s Next-Generation 737s to Its Fleet

Brazilian airline Gol has ordered 40 Boeing's Next-Generation 737 passenger aircraft. The announcement of ...

US Military Base in Colombia? I Don’t Like It, Says Lula of Brazil

US plans to increase the number of troops in Colombia is drawing opposition, not ...

Brazil President Goes to Washington for Summit on Global Economic Meltdown

American President, George W. Bush, invited his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, ...

Brazilian Inflation Goes Up. It’s 0.43% in January

Brazil's  inflation as measured by the General Index of Prices – Domestic Availability (IGP-DI) ...