BNamericas reported that Gerdau will install a 1 million tonnes per annum heavy plate mill at the Gerdau Acominas facility in Minas Gerais state's Ouro Branco for an estimated BRL 1.75 billion in order to begin flat steel production in the country.

The mill is part of a previously announced BRL 6.3 billion global investment plan. The implementation of the mill was postponed due to the global crisis.

Mr Andre Gerdau Johannpeter president of Gerdau said that "The Brazilian market is presenting a gradual recovery and expectations for coming years are quite positive. This improvement led us to decide on the expansion of our line of products in Brazil."

Installation works should start in 2010 and operations are scheduled for 2012. During the peak of construction, Gerdau will provide 4,000 new temporary positions. Once in operation, the mill will provide 420 permanent jobs.

(Sourced from www.bnamericas.com)