Itabirito
Siderúrgica Itabirito
One of the oldest running ironworks in Brazil today was founded in 1888, when metallurgical engineer Joseph Gerspacher initiated its construction. He was invited to South America by the geologist Claude Henri Gorceix, who led the exploration of rich iron ore deposits in the Ouro Preto area.
Image photography
By Viktor Macha in 2024.
Plant facts and figures
Full description
The first charcoal furnace (daily capacity 5 tons of pig iron) was put into operation in 1891 and it was the first blast furnace with hot blast stoves in whole Brazil back in the day.
However, Gerspacher´s capital ran out fast, so he sold the works to the “Sociedade de Forjas e Estaleiros” just one year later.
However the company went bankrupt in 1896 already and the plant was bought by the pioneer of modern metallurgy in Brazil – José Joaquim Queiroz Júnior from Rio.
The ironworks were given the new name “Usina Esperança” and production was gradually restored.
In 1910, the construction of the second blast furnace was completed (capacity 25t/day).
After the death of Queiroz Júnior, the plant was named “Usina Queiroz Júnior” in his honor.
At the beginning of the 1950s, the works were expanded with a gray iron foundry, whose main products included mainly castings for the marine industry.
Since 1990, the site belongs to VDL (Valadares Diesel Group) and is known as “Siderúrgica Itabirito”.