CSN Reply

CSN seeks to include the ESG concept in its governance structure, which has policies, structures and tools to integrate socio-environmental aspects and the sustainability agenda into strategic decision-making.

The company has evolved in the definition of corporate structures to identify risks and opportunities, support the definition of ESG goals and monitor the evolution of all businesses towards these objectives. In the third quarter of 2021, the ESG Committee – which advises the Board of Directors – held its first meeting and approved the creation of the Integrated ESG Management Commission, made up of ambassadors (company employees) to promote an integrated model of innovation and sustainability in company.

Yes, our programs and projects have been briging significant results in reducing water consumption across the group. In mining, for example, our tailings filtration processes make it possible to recover 92% of the water contained in the filtered material and in the Central Plant, through investments in new technologies, the water recirculation rate increased from 79% in 2018 to 87% in 2020 and will reach 95% in 2023. In the steel industry, currently, the UPV (President Vargas Plant) reached a water recirculation rate of 93.6% with the help of some projects such as the Implementation of water reuse from the Carboquímica heat exchangers and the Effluent Treatment Station ( ETE) of the Raw Materials Yard, in addition to the recirculation of rainwater and industrial water from the lime plant.

In addition, as a pioneer in the sector, the UPV developed its Water Footprint study. This mapping makes it possible to map the entire water cycle in the production process and identify opportunities for improvement, with an assessment of costs and positive impacts of projects to improve performance. The study was also carried out in 2021 at CSN mining and as a result, opportunities were identified to improve water management throughout the iron ore production cycle.

The environmental management system at CSN is managed by the sustainability department with the help of the Internal Corporate Environmental Management Committee (CIGA – corporative) which is led by the corporate environmental coordination and composed of professionals from the environmental areas of the operating units. This group meets monthly, aiming to maintain the continuous improvement of the implemented EMS, as well as detect and prevent possible environmental impacts.

Yes. The CSN follows the performance evaluation model by Ciclo de Gente, using the 9Box methodology and tool. We ran our People Cycle where all employees had the opportunity to receive and give feedback regarding their current situation and their career expectations.

The Cycle consists of the following steps: evaluation – calibration/people committee – feedback – career & succession – preparation of the PDI – Development. Leaders are responsible for supporting the development of the team, in order to make them better professionals than themselves, thus ensuring the growth of people and the continuity of CSN, through the career & succession program.

After the evaluation, we carried out the CSN Group’s 9Boxes and implemented the calibration in the People Committee, resulting in the “inverted L”, mapping the company’s talents and potential.

The CSN’s Occupational Health and Safety Management System is based on three objectives that guide all our actions: A safe environment, Awareness of risks and Improvement in the performance of processes. We are constantly evolving in accident prevention, always seeking to assess the potential of certain situations that could lead to fatal or highly serious accidents.

Our strategy is in the task of identifying and preventing the risk of dangerous situations before they can lead to serious and fatal accidents. As practical measures we take, we have a program to identify signs of potential fatigue in operators of large equipment, the Alcohol and Narcotics Use Prevention Program to identify use at work and provide support, as well as an intelligent system to predict risks. accident in the work environment.

In addition, the Company defined the guidelines for its Occupational Health and Safety Management System through the SSO management manual, the corporate reference aims to consolidate the guidelines and Health and Safety Policy, in addition to the responsibilities and authorities to be disseminated and practiced by all employees and suppliers of all levels and in all processes of the organization. It is important to mention that the guidelines in the management manual are applicable to all direct employees and suppliers who are authorized to access CSN group units to perform services.

Currently, 90% of our operating units are ISO 14001 certified.

Yes. In 2021, we completed the qualitative assessment of the risks and opportunities related to climate change for all CSN segments, based on the TCFD (Task Force for Climate Related Financial Disclosures) guidelines.

We maintain a continuous dialogue with the communities through communication channels (green line) and open and transparent relationship programs to address any issues observed by the communities, such as: suggestions, criticism and praise about our operations, as well as clarifying doubts, including details on the environmental management of our main impacts. In this way, we operate with transparency and in a collaborative way in the construction of solutions and improvement of our management.

Based on the Mining Dams Emergency Plan (PAEBM), the Company constantly carries out studies and promotes the registration of families in areas close to the dams, in accordance with international recommendations such as Dam Safety Guidelines – Dam Break Inundation Analysis and Downstream Hazard Classification, prepared by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The objective of the studies and registration is to monitor the families inserted within the Auto Rescue Zone (ZAS) and Secondary Rescue Zone (ZSS), develop social assistance actions, define escape routes and mitigate damage caused by a hypothetical dam break, in other words, rupture of the complex’s dam.

In addition, CSN seeks to analyze and monitor all possible impacts in order to mitigate them throughout the life cycle of projects and operational processes, which includes:

• Carry out environmental control, monitoring, compensation and mitigation programs throughout the life of the project.
• Environmental Impact Study (EIS): Before a project is installed, an analysis of flora, fauna, water resources, soil, atmosphere and social aspects is carried out with the local community through surveys and public hearings.
• Air quality monitoring: At the Presidente Vargas Steelworks, in Volta Redonda (RJ), there are three automatic air quality monitoring stations, five semi-automatic and meteorological stations that contribute to the efficiency of environmental controls and air quality indicators. The data are reported in real time to the state environmental agency, which consolidates the information and disseminates the Air Quality Index (IQAr) to the community. This monitoring, as in the Cimentos plants in Volta Redonda (RJ) and Arcos (MG), is carried out through isokinetic and continuous measurements, measured by automatic meters of particulate materials and gases. CSN Mineração operates four monitoring stations, two of which are meteorological and two for air quality, and are part of the Optimized Network for Monitoring Air Quality in Congonhas and the region.

CSN offers 4 reporting channels (telephone, email, mail and website), respecting the premise of anonymity, secrecy and the guarantee of non-retaliation in the treatment of reports, available to its employees, service providers, suppliers, customers and the community in general, to receive information about deviations or transgressions that may affect the policies, guidelines and rules of the Company or its companies. Reports received through these channels, except correspondence, are handled by a third-party company specialized in receiving and initially handling reports, trained in interview techniques, content analysis and risk management, which interacts in order to obtain as much detail as possible regarding to the fact reported, and forwarded to the Audit, Risks and Compliance Board, which is responsible for carrying out investigations received through the reporting channels and reporting the results to the Audit Committee, which acts as the supervisory body of corporate governance activities. In addition, as previously mentioned, at its main units, CSN maintains an open and free communication channel with the external public, the “Green Line”, which aims to meet environmental demands.

We currently have the steel operation located in Germany, SWT, certified under ISO 50001. This operation represents 10% of the operational units that can apply this certification in the Company.

We maintain a continuous dialogue with the communities through communication channels (green line) and open and transparent relationship programs to address any issues observed by the communities, such as: suggestions, criticism and praise about our operations, as well as clarifying doubts, including details on the environmental management of our main impacts. In this way, we operate with transparency and in a collaborative way in the construction of solutions and improvement of our management.

Based on the Mining Dams Emergency Plan (MDEP), the Company constantly carries out studies and promotes the registration of families in areas close to the dams, in accordance with international recommendations such as Dam Safety Guidelines – Dam Break Inundation Analysis and Downstream Hazard Classification, prepared by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The objective of the studies and registration is to monitor the families inserted within the Auto Rescue Zone (ARZ) and Secondary Rescue Zone (SRZ), develop social assistance actions, define escape routes and mitigate damage caused by a hypothetical dam break, that is, a dam failure in the complex.

The “CSN Support House”, located in the Residential neighborhood in Congonhas-MG, is an important channel of communication with the community. With the proper health protocols due to the pandemic, CSN Mineração has used the place to advertise vacancies and receive CVs. With this action, it was possible to hire people from the community, creating opportunities to transform the local reality by generating employment and income.

CSN Mineração’s social actions are mainly promoted by CSN Foundation, which aims to act in the communities in which we operate, through socio-educational and cultural projects that include partnerships with the government, companies and local institutions. With social actions, in line with the UN’s sustainable development goals, CSN contributed to transforming lives, families and communities, reinforcing the commitment in the cities where it is located.

Mining GHG emissions and reduction targets are calculated and stipulated based on the guidelines of the GHG Protocol, an internationally recognized tool that can be publicly accessed.

The Lump Ore, Sinter Feed and Pellet Feed products produced by CSN Mineração S.A. are sold in the Foreign and Domestic Markets. In 2021, of all products produced, 14.8% (4.9 million tons) were destined for the UPV (President Vargas Plant) and 85.2% were exported.

We operate throughout the steel production chain, from the extraction of iron ore, to the production and sale of a diversified line of high value-added steel products, including galvanized coated flat steel and sheet metal. The integrated production system, combined with the quality of management, makes CSN one of the lowest production costs in the steel industry worldwide. In addition, in Brazil, CSN is the only steel company that produces tinplate.

The CSN’s steel is present in several industry segments, including: Automotive, Civil Construction, Packaging, White Goods and OEM2. The domestic market represents the majority of the Company’s sales, which, however, is also strategically positioned in the foreign market.

Based on the structuring of the MACC curve (Marginal Abatement Cost Curve), we established a CO2 Roadmap, with the definition of projects and action plans that will be taken with a focus on reducing the GHG emissions of the entire CSN group. More than 100 projects and technologies have been mapped and are under feasibility analysis, such as: heat and energy recovery technologies, metallization of cargo, use of biomaterials and alternative fuels, among others.

The combination of blast furnace slag, resulting from the steelmaking process at the Presidente Vargas Steelworks, and clinker, produced at the limestone mine in Arcos, transformed CSN into one of the most competitive cement players in the country. The synergy between the businesses and the integrated logistics of the factories and strategically located distribution centers allow us to offer a differentiated service to the consumer market.

CSN Cimentos’ emissions are calculated based on two internationally recognized methodologies, the GHG Protocol and the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI). Both are published in our Integrated Report and can be compared with other peers in the sector, as following the best practices, we transparently make available to our stakeholders our absolute and specific emissions calculated in the two methodologies.

Based on the structuring of the MAC curve (Marginal Abatement Cost Curve), we established a CO2 roadmap, with the definition of projects and action plans that will be taken with a focus on reducing GHG emissions for the entire CSN group. More than 100 projects and technologies have been mapped and are under feasibility analysis, such as: heat and energy recovery technologies, metallization of cargo, use of biomaterials and alternative fuels, among others. At Cement, we highlight the use of slag, co-processing of waste, use of biomass, consumption of green hydrogen, and innovative technologies that improve energy efficiency and the clinker fator.

At the CSN Cimentos unit, in Arcos (MG), we signed the Atlantic Forest Compensation for the donation to the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) of 29.4 hectares as land regularization of the Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park, in the municipality of Itacarambi (MG). As mining compensation, 165.4 hectares located within the Serra do Cabral State Park, in the municipality of Buenópolis (MG) have already been donated and the donation as a complementary compensation of 18.71 hectares in the same park is in the final phase of documentary adjustments. , in an area contiguous to that previously donated by CSN Cimentos, thus increasing the land tenure regularization of the area protected by the State Government.

The combination of blast furnace slag, resulting from the steelmaking process at the Presidente Vargas Steelworks, and clinker, produced at the limestone mine in Arcos, transformed CSN into one of the most competitive cement players in the country. The synergy between the businesses and the integrated logistics of the factories and strategically located distribution centers allow us to offer a differentiated service to the consumer market.

CSN Cimentos’ emissions are calculated based on two internationally recognized methodologies, the GHG Protocol and the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI). Both are published in our Integrated Report and can be compared with other peers in the sector, as following the best practices, we transparently make available to our stakeholders our absolute and specific emissions calculated in the two methodologies.

Based on the structuring of the MAC curve (Marginal Abatement Cost Curve), we established a CO2 roadmap, with the definition of projects and action plans that will be taken with a focus on reducing GHG emissions for the entire CSN group. More than 100 projects and technologies have been mapped and are under feasibility analysis, such as: heat and energy recovery technologies, metallization of cargo, use of biomaterials and alternative fuels, among others. At Cement, we highlight the use of slag, co-processing of waste, use of biomass, consumption of green hydrogen, and innovative technologies that improve energy efficiency and the clinker fator.

At the CSN Cimentos unit, in Arcos (MG), we signed the Atlantic Forest Compensation for the donation to the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) of 29.4 hectares as land regularization of the Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park, in the municipality of Itacarambi (MG). As mining compensation, 165.4 hectares located within the Serra do Cabral State Park, in the municipality of Buenópolis (MG) have already been donated and the donation as a complementary compensation of 18.71 hectares in the same park is in the final phase of documentary adjustments. , in an area contiguous to that previously donated by CSN Cimentos, thus increasing the land tenure regularization of the area protected by the State Government.

In the CSN group, 94% of the energy used comes from renewable sources.

Together with CSN Cimentos, CSN Energia acquired, at the beginning of 2022, 100% of the shares of Santa Ana Energética, which holds the concession for the exploration of the Santa Ana Small Hydroelectric Power Plant (“SHP Santa Ana”), as well as the Topázio Energética S.A. (“Topázio”) and, indirectly, from Brasil Central Energia Ltda. (“BCE”), a subsidiary of Topázio. The acquisition aims to support and strengthen CSN’s business expansion strategy, through investments in renewable energy and self-production for greater competitiveness of its business.

No. CSN has always been careful about the safety of its dams, with high-tech and high-precision controls and monitoring, ensuring the safety of its dams and the surrounding communities. In addition to establishing legal compliance and complying with the requirements imposed on its activities.

The Casa de Pedra Dam structure complies with all existing safety standards, is duly authorized to operate by all competent bodies and, therefore, does not present any type of risk. The dam’s safety, built by the downstream raising method, was attested by renowned independent audits. It should be noted that the Declaration of Condition of Stability (DCE) of the structure was filed with the Public Ministry of the State of Minas Gerais (MPMG) and with the National Mining Agency (ANM), via SIGBM (Integrated System for the Management of Mining Dams of the ANM ), according to ANM Resolution No. 4, on March 11, 2019, without any request for a postponement of the deadline. It should also be noted that CSN Mineração is at the forefront of tailings treatment, with an investment of 250 million reais in dry stacking technology.

The Casa de Pedra tailings dam was built and raised downstream with a structure composed of compacted and resistant soil such as clay and silt (rock fragments or particles smaller than a grain of sand, which enter into the formation of the soil or a sedimentary rock). This is the same technique used in the construction of large hydroelectric dams. Among the advantages of the downstream construction method, we can highlight the reduction in liquefaction risks, the lower probability of internal ruptures and an efficient drainage system. In addition, it is important to emphasize that the starting dike was built on natural terrain, better supporting the structure.

The periodic monitoring carried out by the dam management team aims to ensure the safety of the Casa de Pedra dam, valuing the integrity of the structure. CSN Mineração has a management system for monitoring and inspecting its structures, using systems such as Geo Inspector, SHMS, Trimble, SAAsuite, and a 24-hour video surveillance system. The activities of reading and interpreting the data collected are carried out by the Inspection and Risk Assessment Group, as defined by the PAEBM Safety Management Committee. In addition to the results of the readings of the installed instruments, periodic visual inspections of the structures are carried out.

Currently, CSN Mineração filters 45% of the material generated during the beneficiation process at the Central Plant (PC) and at the High Intensity Magnetic Concentration (CMAI I) plant and stacks it dry. This reduced the need for tailings disposal by the conventional method in dams. By 2020, the company should process 100% of its ore dry, discarding the use of dams for the production process. With an investment of 250 million reais, this is the largest project of its kind in Brazil. Among the advantages provided by the technology are the reduction of environmental impacts, the improvement of safety in technical matters and the reuse of a large amount of the water present in the tailings, which are stored dry.

After being sent to the filtration plant, the tailings go through the process of densification in decanter cones, with the addition of flocculants. The decanter cones still receive the filtered liquor from the filters and, through the phenomenon of solid-liquid separation that occurs inside, 90% of the water is recovered, which is recirculated and returns to the beneficiation process. The densified material goes to a homogenization tank and is then sent to filters under high pressure. During pressing, the reduction of humidity and the formation of pressed tailings plates takes place, which are unloaded on conveyor belts and transferred to the loading pile. Subsequently, the filtered material is transported by trucks to form the definitive piles of dry material.

The CSN Mineração held several meetings with the residents of the Cristo Rei and Residencial Gualter Monteiro neighborhoods, in Congonhas, transmitting to them all the information about the Casa de Pedra Dam. More than that, CSN Mineração has promoted visits by residents to the dam itself. They climb the massif, attend lectures about the dam and visit the entire structure. In addition, CSN installed warning sirens in neighborhoods, implemented meeting points and escape routes. The company also carried out two simulated accidents with residents. At the moment, it is distributing an information booklet to the population, so that, knowing better the structure and safety of the dam, they can feel more relaxed. All this same information was taken to the local authorities.

Among the activities related to dam safety management, the following stand out:

• Performance of field inspections;
• Routine maintenance actions;
• Evaluation of the monitoring data and instrumentation response;
• Verification of the safety condition of the structure based on the safety factors obtained through the stability analyses;
• Verification of drainage conditions and evaluation of hydrological and hydraulic risk;
• 24-hour video monitoring
• Practices for compliance with state and federal legislation;
• Attending to the requirements of the inspection agencies;
• Monitoring and compliance with audit recommendations, RPSB, EDR.

Monitoring and instrumentation of the casa de pedra dam complex: the periodic monitoring carried out by the dam management team aims to ensure the safety of the casa de pedra dam, valuing the integrity of the structure. Csn mineração has a management system for monitoring and inspecting its structures, using systems such as geo inspector, shms, trimble, saasuite, and a 24-hour video surveillance system.

The activities of reading and interpreting the data collected are carried out by the inspection and risk assessment group, as defined by the paebm safety management committee. In addition to the results of the readings of the installed instruments, periodic visual inspections of the structures are carried out.

Field inspections: the safety inspection of a dam is an essential and elementary routine activity, which constitutes a highly relevant resource. At csn they are carried out by specialized and experienced technicians. The entire system, consisting of the casa de pedra dam and its components, such as abutments, slopes, surface drainage, overflow system, among other elements, are subject to visual inspections, and the respective routine reports are issued for monitoring, aiming at the good functioning of the structure.

The following routine maintenance services are carried out routinely

• pruning and conservation of the vegetation cover;
• grassing of the structure, allowing greater visibility and safety. This activity includes the removal of all and any vegetation, the adjustment of the grass and the elimination of existing termites and anthills.
• cleaning drainage channels and the spillway;
• maintenance of the waiting volume in the reservoir for flood dampening;
• maintenance of instruments;
• calibrations and testing the reading devices of the instruments.
• the special maintenance services, when necessary, are performed from the inspections carried out by the responsible team, through the geoinspector software at the structure’s site. From this, an action plan is generated for the execution of measures to be adopted, in case there is any improvement to be implemented.

Instrumentation: currently, there are 179 (one hundred and seventy-nine) instruments registered for the casa de pedra dam. Among them, piezometers, water level indicators (wis), surface markers, flow meters and inclinometers.

Piezometers and water level indicators: their purpose is to identify the water table in the structure, while the piezometers (pz) provide the piezometric load either in the structure or in the structure’s foundation.

Flow meters: their function is to monitor the flow coming from the structure’s internal drainage.

Surface marks: used to determine possible horizontal and vertical displacements in the structure.

Inclinometer: is used to measure horizontal movements in the dam, collaborating in slope stability control. This instrument is composed of a cylindrical rod with the presence of an inclination sensor inside it. From this device a comparison is made between the current readings and those taken after installation, thus verifying if there have been significant changes.

Field inspection: it is a routine activity that is essential for the structure’s safety. Through it, it is possible to observe the conditions of the structure and its surroundings, accesses; crest; slopes; right and left shoulders; surface and internal drainage systems, and overflow and other points that are considered important by the technical evaluation team.

During the inspection we try to identify if there are settlements, deformations, deterioration of the slopes, emergencies in the structure, as well as the state of conservation of the surface drainage, pouring capacity of the overflow and if, between the periods of inspection, there was the occurrence of any situation that requires action by the technical and maintenance team.

As a strategic investor, CSN Inova can help your startup to leverage its technological solution, through:

a) Smart Money: Access to equity in exchange for equity or convertible debt;

b) Traction and scale: Access to the markets that CSN operates, with the possibility of becoming a CSN supplier;

c) Technology validation: With the use of products/services, applied tests of technologies can be performed in the CSN environment;

d) Technical expertise: We provide access to our assets, business units and industry experts;

e) Network: We connect founders to a broad network of co-investment and potential clients in the service sector.

If your startup becomes a partner of CSN Inova, we can help you create a new solution, develop and test existing solutions or hire your startups to help solve a challenge for our company.

We believe in extraordinary teams and seek solutions that have the potential for scale and impact.

Entrepreneurs who have a solution that adheres to what we are looking for.

To register, your startup can be of any size, but you must consider the profile of the startups we are looking for.

For investment evaluation, we look for startups that have traction and scale perspective.

For open innovation partnerships, we work with well-structured startups with the ability to work together to solve our challenges.

If you don’t have a CNPJ, but believe that your solution can help us, send an email telling us a little more to: inova@csn.com.br

It is possible, but registration is just a first step in evaluating your startup by CSN Inova Ventures. From the registration, we may or may not evaluate your company.

If we consider that there is synergy between the characteristics of your startup and CSN Inova Ventures, we can conduct an evaluation and negotiation process, which will take into account a series of factors, and which may or may not result in a contribution.

It is important to note that registration and/or participation in the evaluation process does not mean that there will be an investment in your startup.

In order for there to be an investment partnership, it is essential that there is interest from both parties and that the objectives of CSN Inova Ventures and its startup are contemplated.

It is possible, but registration is also just the first step in evaluating possible open innovation partnerships between CSN Inova and your startup. This does not mean that your startup will be hired or that there will be a partnership with CSN Inova.

As CSN Inova conducts a continuous process of open innovation, your registration keeps your startup on our radar for a possible partnership to solve our challenges. We can contact you at any time to get to know your startup and your solution better and then evaluate and decide on a possible partnership.

Not. Registration is an ongoing process and your startup will enter our database for both investment assessment and our open innovation process.

There is no set amount. As our investment evaluation and open innovation process is continuous, the number of partnerships to be carried out is at our discretion.

Get in touch with us at inova@csn.com.br or acess our website to get to know more information.

The Presidente Vargas Steelworks was inaugurated in 1946 as the first integrated steel plant in Brazil; the site was built by the Brazilian government. At the time, few equipment and technologies for pollution control were implemented due to the absence of environmental standards and legislation. After its privatization in 1994, a long modernization journey began with more than R$5 billion in investments between 2000 and 2020. Obviously, the challenge of adapting such an old plant to the best environmental standards takes time, especially with modernization being carried out while the plant was operating at total capacity.

In this context, the TAC (Conduct Agreement Term) was signed with INEA – the State’s Environmental Bureau – based on the understanding that all necessary adaptations depended on more significant investments and time.

The current TAC, signed in 2018, provides a six-year action plan with independent verification reports every three months to monitor compliance with actions. The reports of these audits are delivered to INEA and prove that the planned activities are being fulfilled within the deadline.

The Company is currently investing BRL 700 million in modern equipment and filters to improve its environmental controls regarding dust emissions, more than double the amount initially forecast in the TAC, and until the final works are completed in 2024, the unit is adopting numerous measures to reduce the impact of dust: dust filters, gas scrubbers, mist turbines, cleaning and washing of internal pathways and sprinkler cannons with polymer application that minimizes solids in suspension.

It should be noted that exogenous and natural factors contributed to the occurrence identified at the period. In the climatic phenomenon called “thermal inversion” – which occurs in periods of drought and dry and cold weather – the air hardly disperses, which causes a concentration of accumulated particles over the region where the phenomenon occurs. This phenomenon is widespread between June and September in urban centers.

Additionally, the operation of the air quality monitoring stations located in the municipality of Volta Redonda has its data reported online to INEA without any interference from the Company. INEA consolidates this data and classifies the city’s air quality. There are no anomalies or interruptions in their operations at these stations. So that there are no gaps recorded in the history of air quality monitoring in Volta Redonda, which is not associated with external events, such as, for example, power outages, or intervention for maintenance and calibration of automatic measuring instruments, carried out following the maintenance schedule for this equipment, also previously informed to INEA. During the entire year of 2023 the air quality of Volta Redonda was considered as good in 95% of the time (in average).

In February 2019, the Brazilian NGO Reporter Brasil claimed that employees of Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) in the cities of Ouro Preto and Congonhas, Minas Gerais, faced safety risks similar to the workers from Vale’s Corrego do Feijao Tailings Dam whose collapse in January 2019 killed hundreds of people. According to the NGO, CSN’s cafeteria, restaurant, training, and office rooms were located on the border between the two cities where the Vigia dam and Vigia auxiliary dam were located. The NGO estimated that the tailings dams would not give workers sufficient time to escape in case of a collapse.

The cafeteria reportedly has a capacity of 200 people while 20 individuals work regularly in the office. CSN did not respond to Reporter Brasil’s inquiry over the workers’ safety concerns. In March 2019, Brazilian prosecutors announced they would launch a probe over the safety of approximately 100 dams, including the Casa de Pedra dam, operated by CSN’s subsidiary CSN Mineracao. In June 2021, the judges of the Tenth Panel of the Regional Labor Court in Minas Gerais ruled that CSN Mineracao should pay BRL 100,000 (approximately USD 17,800) as compensation for collective moral damages for putting its workers and the local community near the Casa de Pedra dam at risk.

According to the reporting judge, the company failed to implement the required security measures in its operations. The compensation was initially set at BRL 50,000 after the Labour Public Ministry filed a public civil action against the company.

Media outlets reported that Congonhas residents expressed concern over the numerous problems faced in the municipality for years due to Companhia Siderurgica Nacional’s (CSN) mining exploitation, such as the poor quality of air and water in the municipality. According to Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens (MAB), CSN showed disrespect for the population of Congonhas and a lack of commitment to the people’s safety as the company already had 24 dams, including Casa de Pedra, which was at failure alert level 3. MAB alleged that CSN failed to attend a hearing with residents of Congonhas and censored the participation of several affected people and leaders from Congonhas in an inspection carried out via the external Dam Safety Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. Despite not attending the hearing, reportedly CSN reinforced its position that it would continue to invest in its expansion.

The Brazilian Union of Community Associations of Congonhas (Unaccon) stated that Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional’s (CSN) Casa de Pedra dam was at imminent risk of collapsing. According to Unaccon, Casa de Pedra could put at risk the Bom Jesus de Matosinhos Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The NGO also claimed that in 2018 CSN’s operations flooded a neighbourhood, but since no one was injured, the company and the local authorities did not take further actions. The Unaccon called on CSN and the local authorities to prevent the Casa de Pedra dam collapse and protect Congonhas’ architecture and cultural landscape.

Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ), Brazil ordered Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) to remove the waste of steel production stored in Volta Redonda. According to the MPRJ, the waste remained close to the Paraíba do Sul river, which supplies more than 70 cities in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

The Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil fined Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional BRL 5,000 (USD 1,260) per day for not removing the waste of steel production stored in Volta Redonda. The company will pay the fine until the slag piles will reach four meters high, compared to 20 meters at the moment of the decision. The company stored its waste close to the Paraíba do Sul river. Harsco said it would appeal the decision.

On 8 January 2024, media sources reported that Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) and HARSCO Metals were implicated in an environmental issue in Volta Redonda, south of Rio de Janeiro. The companies were reportedly dumping steel waste, known as steel mill slag, near the Paraíba do Sul River. Environmentalists warned that if the waste came into contact with the river, it could have catastrophic consequences for the water supply of 9 million people and cause significant environmental damage.

Reportedly, the steel mill slag, estimated at over 4 million tons, was being stored in a precarious manner just 50 meters from the river. The pile of waste, added to daily by around 100 trucks, was over 30 meters high and covered more than 270,000 square meters. Environmentalists, including Sérgio Ricardo from the Living Bay Movement, warned of an imminent disaster if the waste came into contact with the river due to heavy rains or other events. Studies in Volta Redonda showed a high prevalence of respiratory problems in nearby

neighborhoods, attributed to air pollution from the waste and there were also reports of soil contamination.

Also, despite the warnings from environmentalists, CSN and HARSCO Metals had not provided the requested technical information at the time of writing. CSN had been fined and ordered to pay a daily fine of BRL 20k (USD 5k) in March 2019 due to the waste.

In its January 2021 prospectus, CSN Mineracao, a subsidiary of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional, disclosed that the Federal Public Ministry in Minas Gerais, Brazil had launched a civil inquiry to verify the compliance of its tailings dams with the National Dam Safety Policy. The company detailed that it subsequently submitted the required documentation on the safety of the structures. The dams under investigation are B2 Água Preta, B2 auxiliary dam, B4, B5, Casa de Pedra, Dique do Bichento III-A, Esmeril IV dike, Vigia auxiliary dam, Vigia Tailings Dam, and Vila II. In January 2023, CSN informed MSCI ESG Research that a preliminary agreement has already been signed related to the inquiry and was awaiting final decision to be closed.

The state attorney’s office in Minas Gerais, Brazil (MPMG) asked Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional to formulate a plan for the voluntary removal of 2,500 residents from Cristo Rei and Gualter Monteiro neighborhoods, which are near to Casa de Pedra dam. The MPMG took the preventive measures after the collapse of Vale’s Brumadinho dam, which led to the deaths of 168 people. MPMG stated that the company should pay all the costs of the evacuation. Local media reported that the Congonhas city hall temporarily closed a kindergarten and a local school located near a Casa de Pedras to protect 250 children.

In November 2021, the Minas Gerais Court of Justice ruled that Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional, parent company of CSN Mineração S.A., should pay residents to relocate away from the company’s Casa de Pedra Dam in Congonhas, Brazil. The order came after the Public Ministry filed a public civil action against the company in April 2019, demanding the company adopt security measures and draw up a voluntary removal plan for residents of the nearby Cristo Rei and Residencial Gualter Monteiro neighborhoods. The agency presented a report that indicated the dam had structural problems that put the approximately 600 homes and 2,500 residents at risk within 30 seconds if the dam broke. However, the National Mining Agency (ANM) clarified that dam was not in any level of emergency.

In a statement, CSN Mineração cited the September 2021 stability report for the Casa de Pedra Dam, stating the structure was safe and built using the downstream method. The company also said it would review the injunction and look into possible appeals.

In its January 2021 prospectus, CSN Mineracao disclosed an ongoing administrative proceeding with the Brazilian National Mining Agency (ANM), which alleged the company incorrectly calculated its gross and net sales and charged a Financial Compensation for the Exploitation of Mineral Resources (CFEM). The company stated that it had filed an objection to defend its calculations.

Volta Redonda residents raised concerns over black dust which comes out from Companhia Siderurgica Nacional’s (CSN) mill in the process of making steel. Moreover, there are studies that showed that air pollution in the city may be linked to hospitalizations due to respiratory diseases. The Ministry of Environment monitored dust emissions from the company and would open a discussion with CSN and Rio De Janeiro State Government in order to find a solution for the dust issue. In a response, CSN argued that dust circulation was more common in the summer period due to dry weather. The company also added that it would invest in equipment and filters to reduce dust and would also increase the cleanliness of the plant’s

In April 2024, Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) and others were ordered by Brazillian authorities to decontaminate an area polluted with hazardous waste that allegedly claimed the life of a child in 2004.

According to the Federal Public Ministry (MPF), the contaminated land, located in Barra Mansa, Brazil, was owned by an individual and leased by CSN and Saint-Gobain between 1985 to 1999 to process waste through the company Reciclam. The site was subsequently rented out to another company between 2002 to 2003. Fine residues of coal, coke and manganese sulfate were among the materials treated in the area and sold to potteries in the region. The impacted area is located on the marginal protection strip of the Paraíba do Sul River where highly flammable hazardous waste was processed and contaminated the soil and water in the area.

By 2004, the site remained unoccupied, contaminated and lacked any protective measures to restrict access. In the same year, a tragic incident injured two people and claimed the life of a child after sustaining burn injuries after being exposed to hazardous substances in the contaminated area. The federal court ultimately ordered the responsible parties, including CSN to decontaminate and recover the affected area, and ensure that proper disposal methods are implemented to address the industrial waste that remains in the area. The ruling exempted the steel company from paying collective moral damages, implementing a reforestation project, and the responsibility for removing the structures that are in the marginal protection strip of the Paraíba do Sul River. The MPF is reportedly appealing the court’s decision.

A brazilian labour court notified Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN) to comply with thedetermination of the judge of the 2nd Labor Court of Volta Redonda for the reinstatement of the nine employees fired after the April 2022 strike and imposed a 48-hour deadline. According to the Metalworkers’ Union, the workers waited outside the company and were already at CSN’s disposal to return to their posts and company officials stated that the workers were reinstated as of the present date for all legal purposes.

Barroso residents complained about air pollution from Companhia Siderurgica Nacional’s cement factory in Brazil. The residents claimed that the air quality in the area was poor, with the company’s cement factory being the cause. The company confirmed the dust emissions and added that the problem was caused by problems in the operation. The company also stated that it made investments to improve its equipment and processes. However, the company did not provide any clarification regarding the community’s question about the súlfur smell in the area.

The Brazilian State Institute of the Environment (INEA) fined Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN) BRL 2 million (USD 401,000) for not reporting the grounding of the bulk carrier True Conrad in Itaguai, Mangaratiba district. According to the INEA, the bulk carrier lost its rudder when leaving the port through the access channel, colliding with a slope, which damaged a part of its hull. The vessel was in the service of CSN and transported thousands of tons of iron ore to Singapore, in Asia. Moreover, the Navy opened an investigation to determine the causes of the accident. However, after a first verification, INEA stated that so far there is no risk of oil or fuel leakage, but it also added that there would be another joint inspection with the Port Authority to monitor and evaluate the incident.

Media outlets reported that Companhia Siderurgica Nacional was fined after leaks from Fernandinho mine structures contaminated water by creating a shiny, dark mud piled up on the banks of the Rio das Velhas and killed fish. Moreover, Instituto Mineiro de Gestão das Águas (IMGA) established that the impact on Córrego Fazenda Velha, at the junction with Rio das Velhas, came from CSN structures. IMGA stated that material coming from mine should stop as the affected region has an important role in the water security of the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte.