Vale resumes operations at Tubarao port

Brazilian mining firm Vale has signed an agreement with the municipality of Vitoria in Espirito Santo state allowing it to resume operations at the port of Tubarao.

The state ordered Vale on 7 February to close part of the port's water waste treatment area, affecting the supply stocking area, pelletising plants 1,2,3 and 4 and port services of coal. The agreement permits the "immediate return" of the facilities, Vale said today.

Under the deal, Vale will invest to improve the waste water treatment area and air quality control systems, and has been fined 35mn reals ($9.4mn).

"The company has given assurances that it has solved the problem of emission of pollutants at sea and that no further environmental damage will occur for the same reason," the municipality of Vitoria said.