Rio Tinto’s iron ore mine in Corumbá in the Brazilian Pantanal region had expansion plans to reach 24 million tons per year capacity, starting at 1.2 million tons. Environmental and social issues were a major concern as the Pantanal region is highly sensitive. Logistics was also a major challenge as railways reaching the region were not operational and taking the ore to market required using the Paraguay River International Waterway. A 14 Km. overland conveyor, a fluvial port at Albuquerque near the mine and another port at Agraciada in Uruguay, where transshipment from barge convoys to ocean-going vessels would occur, was part of the project. A steel complex and thermal power plant next to the mine was also planned. JGP was retained to perform:
- Study of logistic corridor alternatives, including the possibility of rail transport to the port of Santos.
- Strategic Environmental Assessment of the mine expansion, steel complex, thermal power and logistics corridor, including Cumulative Impacts Assessment with other mining projects in the region.
- Assistance with supervision of 4 Environmental and Social Impact Assessments developed by other consultancies, including verification of compliance with Rio Tinto and IFC standards.
- Strategic Social Responsibility Action Plan for engagement with the project’s host communities of Corumba and Ladario.
- Environmental and Social Pre-feasibility study of the whole project (with ports and waterway), including E&S risk assessment (as part of Rio Tinto’s internal project assessment cycle).