Brazil Steel Institute

The CSA construction project, approved by the competent environmental authorities, was developed in accordance with Brazilian and European standards. Sensitive issues, such as the preservation of a 1.5 million m² area of mangrove swamp close to the coastline of the site and the drainage operation necessary for the construction of the port terminal, were comprehensively discussed with fishermen associations and the other stakeholders. All measures were taken to ensure that there was no significant environmental impact as a result of these activities.

As regards the environmental performance of the production units – levels of atmospheric emissions, generation of effluents and solid residues etc – the control systems designed for the project are similar to those in use at the ThyssenKrupp Steel plant in Germany, where control of air pollution is among the most modern in the world and emissions are reduced to a minimum impact. At CSA, gases generated as a result of the production processes in the coking plant, the blast furnaces and the steelworks will be used by the thermoelectric generator, with an installed capacity of 490 MW/h, to produce all the energy needed for the functioning of the steel mill complex, resulting in an efficiency gain with reduced environmental impact. An excess of 200MW/h, sufficient to meet the needs of 17% of the population of the State of Rio de Janeiro, has already been sold at an Aneel auction and will be available as from 2011.

Following a rigorous evaluation of the socio-economic impacts of the project on the neighbouring regions and of intense dialogue conducted with the local communities, lines of action were defined for programmes of environmental compensation and social responsibility for the implantation phase of the steel mill complex. Over R$ 10 million will be invested in social projects in the area under the influence of the ThyssenKrupp CSA Siderúrgica do Atlântico, particularly in the fields of education and health, furthermore the donation of new equipment to the local Fire Brigade units, new installations and improved working conditions for the fishermen of the region. Included in this series of investment initiatives is the construction of a fish sales outlet to avoid costs with middlemen, the construction of a quay, literacy programmes for adult fishermen and the development of a fish farming. Investments will also be made with a view to promoting the self-sufficiency of local communities, including courses to improve the professional training of their members.

Considering all the concerns with the workers and with the communities which will be affected by the venture and the extreme care taken in relation to the environmental issues, ThyssenKrupp CSA Siderúrgica do Atlântico can be proud of carrying out a project of excellence from any angle you care to look at it.