Metallurgies that produce pig iron in Para and Maranhão state have stimulated illegal deforestation of the remnant of Amazonia forest and transition forests to nourish their ovens.  The O Estado reporter found, in one day, three illegal coal-producers hidden the city of Rondon in Para state, which according to the workers, supplies vegetable coal to companies in Maraba.  Today the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) reported in a first-time report that indicates that a deficit between the coal necessary to maintain production in the region between 2000 and 2004- in plain expansion, in response to the integration into the international market, than what is officially declared by the sector.  Shall we say: the extra coal comes from an un-official source.

The document analysed data passed by 12 metallurgic companies from 12 states that integrate the “Carajas pole”, which includes the cities of Maraba, Açailandia, Santa Ines e Macabeira.  The pig iron is produced from the iron extracted by the Company of Valley River Doce in Carajas, Para state and is used to produce steel.  Only one company demonstrated a positive balance in the coal use.

Among the trees that are felled are the Para nut trees that remain after timber exploitation.  With a high commercial value, and because of this threatened, its cutting down is prohibited- which does not impede its use as primary material for coal.

According to the Pastoral Commission for land (CPT), the illegal industry of vegetable coal has employed children in slave-like work conditions, indebting themselves.  “This is a violent process of enticement”, state Jose Batista, a CPT lawyer.

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