Brazil-based Bahia Mining (Bamin) has commenced operations at two iron ore projects in Bahia, Brazil.
According to media reports, the company will operate its Pedra de Ferro mine in Caetité, which has the capacity to produce around 800,000mt of iron ore per year. The project will create 300 direct jobs.
Bamin’s second project involves constructing a port called Porta Sul in Ilheus. The construction of the port commenced on July 16 and is expected to cost $1bn. It will have a shipping capacity of 25mn mt to accommodate future exports from the Pedra mine, which is estimated to ramp up operations to 18mn mt per year in the near future. The port will employ 400 people.
Shipping is expected to begin in November, this year. However, Alexandre Aigner, Bamin’s finance director said that the company will take precautions to avoid any negative health-related or economic consequences caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.