Small iron ore producers in Minas Gerais may finally have access to a dedicated port terminal for shipping their production to the international market. The National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) has just approved a project for the construction of a new terminal in Itaguaí, Rio de Janeiro, located between the Vale and CSN facilities in an area popularly known as the “Área do Meio” (Middle Area. This terminal will significantly impact the country’s commodity market and increase the global supply of iron ore. These smaller mining companies, often referred to as “portless miners,” will have the capability to expand their production and export capacity. Currently, they depend on space at Vale and CSN port terminals in the port area of Itaguaí on the coast of Rio de Janeiro for their exports.
Sources: Valor Econômico/Datamar News