Brazil’s Grupo Vetorial has resumed pig iron production at its Ribas do Rio Pardo on Aug 28 after a six-year hiatus. The revamped facility is expected to have an annual capacity of 237,000mt and has had a capital infusion of about BRL25mn ($4.8mn).
Vetrorial reignited the Mato Grosso do Sull plant’s blast furnace after six months of restructuring and development, noted media reports on Aug 29. The producer has ramped up its equipment, safety standards, and environmental controls.
The Brazilian company stopped operations in Jan 2015, citing unfavorable eco-political and conditions and weak pig iron demand domestically and worldwide.
Vetorial Group produces iron ore, charcoal, and pig iron using charcoal and is headquartered in Belo Horizonte (Mato Grosso).
($1=BRL5.14)