Cedro Participações advances Porto do Meio iron ore terminal project in Brazil
Cedro Participações has received approval from Brazil’s State Environmental Control Commission (CECA) for the issuance of an Integrated Environmental License (LAI) for Porto do Meio, a planned iron ore terminal at the Port of Itaguaí in Rio de Janeiro state.
The decision, issued on 13 October 2026, represents a significant regulatory milestone for the project, confirming its environmental feasibility and allowing Cedro to advance preparations for the next development phases.
The initial licensing scope covers the handling of less than 15 million tonnes of iron ore annually. The approval concerns the issuance of the environmental license and does not indicate that construction has already begun.
Cedro secured the rights to develop the terminal in December 2024, when it won the federal auction for the ITG02 port area. The company subsequently signed a 35-year lease agreement, with an option to renew for an additional equivalent period.
New terminal to connect mining regions with the coast
Porto do Meio will occupy approximately 250,000 square metres between the existing terminals operated by Vale and CSN at Itaguaí. The development will include an iron ore stockyard and a berthing facility designed to accommodate vessels requiring water depths of up to 20 metres.
The terminal will be connected to the MRS Logística railway network, which links the Iron Quadrangle mining region in Minas Gerais with the coast of Rio de Janeiro. This connection is intended to establish an additional transport corridor for iron ore exports.
Construction is expected to take approximately three years and will involve civil engineering works, dredging, port equipment installation and electromechanical assembly.
According to Cedro, the project could generate approximately 3,000 direct and indirect jobs during peak construction activity. Once operational, the terminal is expected to employ 256 people directly, while the company estimates that the development could generate R$1.2 billion in municipal tax revenue.
Terminal to serve Cedro and third-party exporters
Although Porto do Meio is being developed to accommodate Cedro’s planned iron ore production, the company intends to make the facility available to other exporters.
The project is designed to provide additional port capacity for mid-sized mining companies that currently depend on terminals operated by larger mining groups or trading companies.
Cedro expects the combination of dedicated terminal infrastructure and rail connectivity to support its export operations while providing third-party users with additional access to international markets.
Lucas Kallas, Chairman of Cedro International, described the project as a long-term investment in Brazil’s mining and port infrastructure.
José Carlos Martins, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cedro Participações, said the terminal forms part of the company’s plans to expand iron ore production and develop greater independence in its export operations.
The company has not announced a confirmed construction start date or commissioning schedule. The three-year construction period remains an estimate, with further development stages still to be undertaken.
