* A number of companies have suspended their mining operations in Brazil’s southeastern state of Minas Gerais, as heavy rains have battered the state and threaten the safety of infrastructure and workers. Mining giant Vale has paralysed parts of its operations in its southeastern iron ore system, and halted all operations in its southern system, citing safety concerns for employees and local communities due to the heavy rainfall. The company is also monitoring its dams around the clock. In a statement, Vale said that the operations in its northern system remain unaffected and that it stands by its 2022 production target, of 320m-335m tonnes of iron ore. Steel producers Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) and Usiminas, and manufacturing company Vallourec have also had to halt operations at their mines in Minas Gerais. A state of emergency has been declared in 145 municipalities in Minas Gerais due to the rain, which is expected to keep falling throughout the week.
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