São Paulo, Brazil—Cetesb, the São Paulo environmental enforcement agency, announced Jan. 18 an R8 million (US$2.5 million) fine against Vale Fertilizantes, a unit of Vale SA, due to a Jan. 5 fire at the Cubatão Industrial Complex Unit 2 (GM Jan. 6, p. 12).
Cetesb said the fine was due to the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere (nitrous oxide, particulate matter, and others) and the discharge of effluents, including ammonium nitrate, into the water. Cesteb said an explosion, followed by a fire at the ammonium nitrate warehouse, resulted in the production of toxic smoke and the contamination of the adjacent Mogi River. Cetesb said the fire consumed 10,000 mt of product, and the toxic smoke occurred for more than five hours. More than 150 nearby residents were evacuated.
There were no casualties, although two firefighters received minor injuries. Cetesb said that after the accident, it suspended the operating license of the ammonium nitrate unit until the area is fully recovered and rebuilt and licensed again. Vale is evaluating whether to question the size of the fine, according to a report by BNA. Cubatão is a part of Vale Fertilizantes that The Mosaic Co. does not plan to buy in its recently announced acquisition of Vale assets (GM Dec. 23, 2016).