November 21, 2008

Workers vandalize Vale pig iron plant at Monte Libano

AP reported that protesters from the Landless Rural Workers Movement invaded a pig iron plant in northeastern Brazil belonging to Brazilian mining giant Vale.

Vale said that the protesters vandalized buildings and machinery at the Monte Libano charcoal ranch in an extremely violent morning raid in the northeastern city of Acailandia.

Vale said that “The movement, known by its Portuguese language initials as MST, claimed the invasion was linked to Saturday's commemoration of International Women's Day.”

Vale said the protesters threatened plant workers and blocked the major Belem-Brasilia highway near the plant with tires and tree trunks. Police were called to assess the damage and protect Vale facilities.

It was the third time that the protesters had shut down the railway, which supplies Atlantic ports for shipment overseas.