The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) announced Friday that its Brazil-based business unit Mosaic Fertilizantes has resumed mining at full capacity at the Araxá and Tapira phosphate mines, which were idled in April to comply with stability certification of their tailings dams.
Following the January dam disaster of iron ore miner Vale SA, Brazil’s mining regulator imposed new rules for the country’s tailings dams to avoid recurrence of such accidents, which also affected Mosaic’s operations.
“Solid execution across our business has allowed us to return these operations to full capacity ahead of plan and ensures that we are positioned to meet farmer demand heading into Brazil’s key planting season,” commented Rick McLellan, SVP, Mosaic Fertilizantes.
“We believe the revised regulatory requirements will make mining safer for our employees, our communities and the environment.”
The Catalão mine, also in Brazil and idled at the same time due to regulatory changes, resumed operations in June.