The history of iron production, in which pig iron is included, in Minas Gerais mixes itself with the history of the state in what they both have of more important: the challenge, the pioneering spirit, the achievements and a strong respect for Nature that grows on the ground and hides a treasure under this ground.
It was in Minas Gerais that arose the first enterprise to produce iron in Brazil (still on a handcraft basis), the Catalan Forges in (municipality of) Caeté, where there were huge deposits of iron ore.
Their establishment was carried out by the daring entrepreneur, Jean Antoine F. de Monlevade, in 1827.
The first blast-furnace was built in the municipality of Itabirito, in 1888. Structured in stone masonry, the blast furnace was 9 meters in height and had the capacity to produce 6 tons of iron per day.
With modern facilities, this mill produces pig iron until today, under the name of Siderúrgica Itabirito Ltda.
The first integrated steel mill in South America, having steel as its final product, Cia. Belgo Mineira, was founded in 1925. This company was an association between a Belgian-Luxembourgish consortium ARBED and Companhia Siderúrgica Mineira that, originally, used to produced iron using the system of Catalan Forges. In 1937, Belgo-Mineira started its second mill that was also integrated and based on the reducer charcoal.
It is important to remark that this company was a pioneer in afforestation programs with several eucalypt species aiming to supply the charcoal demand of the blast furnaces in operation.
The great growth of Brazilian steel industry started in the last years of 1950 decade along with the automobile industry, encouraged by JK government.
Technological improvements and sustainability adjustments in the production processes have brought some competitive advantages to the Brazilian pig iron that gained prominent position both in domestic and international market. And Brazil has become a major exporter.
