SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

 
FORM 6-K
 
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of March, 2004

Commission File Number 1-14732
 

 
COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 

National Steel Company
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
 

Rua Lauro Muller, 116 - sala 3702
Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Federative Republic of Brazil
(Address of principal executive office)
 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F. 

Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F _______

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  

Yes _______ No ___X____


 

AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BY AND BETWEEN:

COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL, with headquarters in this city, at Rua Lauro Müller, 116, 3 rd floor and room 3.402, enrolled at CNPJ under number 33.042.730/0001-04 herein represented, under its By-laws, by its undersigned Executive Directors, hereinafter simply called “CSN” ;
and
COMPANHIA VALE DO RIO DOCE, with headquarters in this city, at Av. Graça Aranha, 26, 19 th floor, enrolled at CNPJ under number 33.592.510/0001-54, herein represented, under its By-laws, by its undersigned Executive Directors, hereinafter simply called “CVRD”, the above parties collectively called “Parties” and individually “Party” ;
with the intervention of:
VICUNHA SIDERURGIA S.A., with headquarters in São Paulo, SP, at Rua Itacolomi, 412, 5 th floor, room 02, enrolled at CNPJ under number 02.871.0007/0001-04, herein represented, under its Corporate By-laws, by its undersigned legal representatives,
VALEPAR S.A., with headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, at Rua Lauro Müller, 116, 36 th floor, part, enrolled at CNPJ under number 01.772.413/0001-57, herein represented, under its Corporate By-laws, by its undersigned legal representatives,

INTERMESA INVESTIMENTOS S.A., with headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, at Rua Miguel Couto, 105 – 7 th floor – part, enrolled at CNPJ under number 03.275.417/0001-55, herein represented, under its Corporate By-laws, by its undersigned legal representatives,

CLUBE DE INVESTIMENTO CSN (CSN INVESTMENT CLUB) , with headquarters in Volta Redonda, RJ at Rua 93-A, 162 – Vila Santa Cecília, enrolled at CNPJ under number 68.670.512/0001-07, herein represented, under its corporate By-laws, by its undersigned legal representatives,

CAIXA DE PREVIDÊNCIA DOS FUNCIONÁRIOS DO BANCO DO BRASIL – PREVI (BANCO DO BRASIL EMPLOYEES PENSION & RETIREMENT FUND) , with headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, at Praia de Botafogo, 501, 4 th floor, enrolled at CNPJ under number 33.574.482/0001-24, herein represented, under its corporate By-laws, by its undersigned legal representatives, and

BRADESPAR S/A, a business corporation, with headquarters at Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 3064, 6 th floor, State of São Paulo, enrolled at CNPJ under number 03.847.461/0001-92, herein represented, under its corporate By-laws, by its undersigned legal representatives,

the above named collectively called “Intervenors” ,

WHEREAS CSN is the holder of rights of mining the Casa de Pedra Mine which are ensured thereto by title 234-06/36, a split-off of Mine Manifest number 234/36, subject of DNPM proceeding 43.306/56, of which the area is 2.526,26 ha (two thousand and sixteen hectares and twenty six ares); and

WHEREAS the terms of Clause 13 of the Shareholders' Agreement of CSN dated April 23, 1993 (“Agreement”)
THE PARTIES HEREBY HAVE AGREED AND COVENANTED THE FOLLOWING:

1. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this agreement:

“Foreign Shareholder” means (i) an individual, holder of shares, whose domicile and residence are not established in Brazil ; or (ii) corporate body, holder of shares, which direct or indirect Control is exercised by individual whose domicile and residence are not established in Brazil .

“Control” means the ability of a shareholder of a certain company to exercise, individually, even if through voting agreement, permanently, such rights which ensure him predominance on the corporate resolutions and the power to elect the majority of the company's managers.

“CSN Controlled Company” means the corporate body or any other associated or similar form, where CSN (i) has an interest, directly or indirectly, and is, individually, even if through voting agreement, the holder of rights ensuring CSN permanently the predominance on the corporate resolutions and the power to elect the majority of the managers; and (ii) holds more than 25% of the capital formed by common shares or is the largest individual common shareholder.

“Controlling Group of Valepar/CVRD” means the group of shareholders who, through voting agreement, directly or indirectly, is, collectively, the holder of member's rights which will ensure thereto, permanently, the predominance on the corporate resolutions and the power to elect the majority of the managers of Valepar S.A. and CVRD.

“Casa de Pedra Mine” means the mining right represented by title number 234-06/36 a split off of the Mine Manifest number 234/36, subject of DNPM proceeding number 43.306/56, which area is 2.516,26 ha. (two thousand five hundred and sixteen hectares and twenty six ares) held on this date by CSN and related to the iron ore mine explored by CSN, located in the State of Minas Gerais, which are is delimited by the polygon appearing on map (Annex I A) and described in the respective memorial (Annex I B), as well as all its integrating parts, under the applicable legislation.

“Excess Ore ” means the iron ore from the production of the Casa de Pedra Mine (in all its forms, including natural ore, granulated, sinter feed, pellet feed and pellets) not used in the steel production by CSN at Presidente Vargas Plant or in other steel units owned by CSN and CSN Controlled Company.

“Itaguaí Project” means such industrial unit(s) of production of hot rolled plates or coils to be built in up to 4 different locations in Brazil, in two stages, each with production of approximately 6 million of tons of steel per year, destined to a total annual production (considered all the industrial units together) of up to 12.5 million of tons of steel per year, and each stage may be divided into several modules, where CSN is the largest individual shareholder and holds interest of, at least, 50% (fifty percent) plus one share of the total of common and preferred shares with voting right (in the event of a capital structure with common and preferred shares), or 1/3 (one third) of the total and voting capital (in case the Brazilian legislation no longer contemplates preferred shares).

“Greenfield Steel Project” means an industrial project of steel works destined to the production of hot rolled plates and/or coils under CVRD's direct or indirect control, to be installed in location where there is no similar undertaking in operation and which, as a consequence, can not obtain reductions of investment and operating costs through the development of synergies resulting from the shared utilization of infrastructure, utilities center or raw material.

“Economic Value of Casa de Pedra Mine” means the economic value of the Casa de Pedra Mine to be calculated by two major investment banks (one appointed by CSN and the other by CVRD, the “Investment Banks”), corresponding to the net discounted cash flow of Casa de Pedra Mine (i) up to the remaining term of this Agreement, limited to the reserve of Casa de Pedra Mine subject to be mined in an economic way or, if the latter will subsist to the termination of the Agreement, whichever is greater and (ii) by a discount rate of 12,5% a.a. according to the following basic and cumulative premises: (i) volume of the various types of ore corresponding to the sale of Excess Ore and the effective consumption of the Presidente Vargas Plant, of CSN Controlled Company(ies), of companies where CSN will holds a shareholding interest under terms of Item II.7 hereof and the actual and/or potential consumption of ore required for the total production of Itaguaí Project in its two stages (provided that, in relation to each specific stage, there are feasibility studies and basic engineering project already concluded, negotiations with financing banks have already commenced and the specific stage has already been formally approved and disclosed by the Board of Directors of CSN), that is, 12.5 million tons/year; and (ii) revenue based on prices practiced at the time in the domestic (FOB mine) and foreign (FOB port) markets. In case of dispute between the values found by the Investment Banks in amount equal to or above 10%, the Investment Banks shall appoint a 3rd major investment bank, prevailing, in such case, the average of the economic value of the Casa de Pedra Mine calculated by the 3 investment banks.

II. MARKETING OF EXCESS ORE

II.1 During 30 (thirty) days counting from the date of signing of this agreement, CVRD shall have the preference, in equal conditions with third parties, to acquire the Excess Ore.

II.2 In case CSN will receive (i) firm offer of third party interested in the acquisition of Excess Ore or (ii) acceptance in offer of sale which it has made to third parties, in both cases, in any amount, CSN shall issue notice to CVRD accompanied by copy of the offer presented. In any case, the notice shall contain (i) the identification of such third party, (ii) the amount and specifications of ore, (iii) place and term of delivery, (iv) price and payment conditions, (v) all other direct, connected or resulting conditions, if any, of the intended supply.

II.3 CVRD shall express its decision as to the exercise of the preferred right within the following terms, provided that the same shall be exercised in full, being forbidden, in any case, the partial exercise:

(a) in case of supply of ore with delivery term equal to or shorter than 12(twelve) months and amount equal to or below 50.000 metric tons, up to 24.00 hours of the 3 rd working day after the date of receipt of CSN notice;

(b) in case of supply of ore with delivery term equal to or shorter than 12 (twelve) months and amount above 50.000 metric tons, up to 24:00 hours of the 7 th working day after the date of receipt of CSN notice;

(c) in case of supply of ore with delivery term above 12 (twelve) months, within 30 (thirty) calendar days counting from the date of receipt of notice of CSN.

II.3.1 For the purposes of provision in Item II.3 above, “working day” shall be considered that when the commerce and banks will be open for business in the city of Rio de Janeiro .

II.4 The Excess Ore shall be acquired by CVRD under the condition “FOB Mine”. The general criteria which will prevail for the equalization of price of supply, if the interested third party's proposal contains a different commercial clause, are established in Annex II hereto.

II.4.1 The equalization conditions above shall be occasionally revised, by initiative of any of the Parties.

II.4.2 Within the term assigned to CVRD to exercise the preferred right, the Parties shall discuss, in good faith, the equalization of price of each supply, taking into account such general criteria agreed upon according to Item II.4 above, provided that, if there is no agreement, the price offered by the third party shall prevail.

II.5 If CVRD will fail to exercise the preferred right or will do it untimely, CSN may perform the supply to the interested third party, provided that it will do it observing the same conditions of the proposal conveyed to CVRD under Item II.2 above.

II.6 The preferred right specified in this Clause II shall not apply to the supply of Excess Ore for consumption of Itaguaí Project.

II.7 Furthermore, observing the provision herein, the preferred right specified in this Clause II shall not be applicable in relation to sales of Excess Ore to steel companies where CSN is a direct or indirect shareholder, once met the following conditions: (i) the annual sale volume shall be proportional to CSN's direct or indirect interest in the total capital of the steel company in question, in relation to the annual consumption of iron ore of said company; and (ii) the annual sale volume shall be prorated among granulated, sinter feed and pellet feed in the proportion of the total annual production of each product at the Casa de Pedra Mine. The calculation of the annual volumes for each type of ore specified herein shall use, for each steel company, the amounts reported for each parameter in the year immediately preceding the sales and shall obey the following formulae:

Q1 = C x A% x X%

Q2 = C x A% x Y%

Q3 = C x A% x Z%

Where:

“Q1” corresponds to the annual amount of Excess Ore of granulated quality, not subject to the preferred right, according to provision in this Item II.7;

“Q2” corresponds to the annual amount of Excess Ore of sinter feed quality, not subject to the preferred right, according to provision in this Item II.7;

“Q3” corresponds to the annual amount of Excess Ore of pellet feed quality, not subject to the preferred right, according to provision in this Item II.7;

“C” corresponds to the annual consumption of iron ore of the specific steel company;

“A” corresponds to CSN's interest in the specific steel company, in percentage terms. In case of CSN's direct or indirect interest in the steel companies referred to herein, such percentage shall be calculated pro rata to CSN's actual and final interest in such steel company;

“X” corresponds to the proportion of ore of granulated type in the total annual production of Casa de Pedra in percentage terms;

“Y” corresponds to the proportion of ore of sinter feed type in the total annual production of Casa de Pedra in percentage terms;

“Z” corresponds to the proportion of ore of pellet feed type in the total production of Casa de Pedra in percentage terms;

II.7.1 If CSN will acquire any shareholding interest in steel companies to which there may be supply of Excess Ore under term of this Item II.7, the same shall notify CVRD of the percentage of its shareholding in the total capital of the steel company in question, after its disclosure to the market, under terms of the legislation in force at the time, or in the absence of such legal obligation to disclose, within 10 (ten) calendar days counting from the date of filing, by CSN, of the first subsequent ITR or IAN.

II.7.2 CSN shall, each year, previously notify CVRD whether it intends to sell Excess Ore to any steel company where it holds an interest, as well as inform the numerical value of each of the components in the formulae indicated in Item, II.7 above, through statement prepared according to form in Annex III. Such statement shall be delivered to CVRD within 30 (thirty) calendar days before the first scheduled shipping for the relevant year.

II.7.3 The agreements of supply of Excess Ore with term longer than 12 months, entered into by CSN and such steel company where CSN holds an interest, shall contain a clause of adjustment of annual amounts of supply of Excess Ore in function of variations, for more or for less, in the percentage of CSN's interest in the capital of such company or in the consumption of iron ore of the latter, according to the system defined in the previous item.

II.7.4 Not later than January 30 each year, CSN shall forward to CVRD a certificate, drawn up according to form in Annex IV, containing the statement that the provision in Item II.7 hereof was duly complied with in the previous year, or, as the case may be, the information that the excess supply occurred in the previous year will be compensated under terms of provision in Item II.7.5 below.

II.7.5 If it will be proven that the volume of Excess Ore sold by CSN exceeded the limit set forth in caput of this Item II.7 for a certain year, CSN may, in the subsequent year, effect the compensation of the amount oversold. If said compensation is not effected within such term, CVRD will be owed a compensating fine in the amount equivalent in Reais to US$ 15.00 per ton of Excess Ton of which the compensation will not have been effected.

II.7.6 If CVRD will disagree with the information provided by CSN under terms of Items II.7.2 and II.7.4 above, CVRD may request that an independent audit company, internationally known, verify said information, provided that such verification is made at its expenses, with previous notice of at least 7 working days and within office hours.

III. PELLETIZATION UNDERTAKINGS

III.1 If CSN, directly or indirectly, will decide to associate with third parties to build and operate a pelletization plant (including the marketing of pellets produced by CSN) which will use the Excess Ore, CSN shall give preference to CVRD to implement such undertaking together with CSN, under the same terms, price, validity, amount and other conditions appearing in the third parties' proposal obtained by CSN. This preferred right shall be equally valid for 30 (thirty) years counting from the date of signing of this agreement and shall always be exercised in full, being forbidden its partial exercise.

III.2 For purposes of Item III.1 above, CSN shall notify CVRD identifying the potential partner(s), the terms, prices, validity, amount and other conditions appearing in the third party's proposal and describing, in optimum detail, the undertaking, accompanied by the respective feasibility study.

III.3 CVRD shall have a time period of 60 (sixty) calendar days to express its decision whether or not to exercise the preference, which shall be irrevocable and irreversible; in case of negative or absence of answer within such time period, CSN may implement the business in association with the potential partner(s), provided that it will do it under the exact terms, validity and conditions described in the feasibility study and in the proposal conveyed to CVRD according to Item III.1 above.

III.4 In case of silence or refusal by CVRD within the term established in Item III.3 above and if CSN will implement the pelletization undertaking covered by this Clause III jointly with third party(ies), each party integrating the undertaking shall use the amount of product(s) corresponding to their respective proportion of interest in the capital of the undertaking. The marketing of the excess production not used by CSN, CSN Controlled Companies, Itaguaí Project and/or steel company(ies) where CSN will have an interest according to provision in Item II.7, shall observe, mutatis mutandis, the legal preference rules established in Clause II hereof.

IV. LEASING OR DISPOSAL OF CASA DE PEDRA MINE

IV.1 For 30 (thirty) years counting from the date of signing this agreement, CVRD shall have the preference, in equal conditions with third parties, to acquire or lease the Casa de Pedra Mine, observing the provisions of this Clause IV.

IV.2 If CSN will receive firm proposal from third parties for total or partial purchase or lease of the Casa de Pedra Mine, CSN shall notify CVRD of the proposal received, which shall necessarily specify the price, term and conditions of payment, validity of the agreement (in case of lease) as well as all the other direct, related or resulting conditions.

IV.2.1 If the condition of payment of price appearing in the proposal referred to in Item above is not cash, the same shall be equalized by the Parties according to the evaluation reports to be prepared by 2 (two) appraisers of known competence, one appointed by CVRD, the other by CSN, prevailing the highest price. In the occurrence of dispute between the values appearing in said evaluation reports in amount equal to or above 10%, the appraisers shall appoint a 3 rd appraiser, and in such case, the average price calculated among all evaluation reports shall prevail. In case CSN will not agree with the final result of the evaluation, CSN may desist from the business with the interested third party and with CVRD.

IV.3 CVRD shall have 60 (sixty) calendar days counting from the receipt of notice from CSN (or, in case of Item IV.2.1, 15 (fifteen) calendar days counting from the acknowledgment by CVRD, upon notice issued by the appraisers, of the final equivalent amount in cash) to notify whether it intends or not to exercise the preference, being forbidden its partial exercise.

IV.3.1 In case of affirmative answer, CSN and CVRD shall consummate the operation within the subsequent period of 45 (forty five) calendar days, under the same terms and conditions appearing in the offer.

IV.3.2 If CVRD will refuse the offer or will express its decision within the term established in Item IV.3 above, CSN may perform the operation proposed by third party(ies), provided that it is under the same terms and conditions appearing in the offer and within the term of 45 (forty five)calendar days subsequent to the date of receipt of refusal from CVRD or the conclusion of the term referred to in Item IV.3 in case of absence of answer by CVRD.

IV.4 The preferred right referred to in this Clause V shall also be applicable in cases of direct or indirect encumbrance or alienation of the Casa de Pedra Mine in any manner, including those arising out of transformation, incorporation, merger or split-off of CSN, which may have as purpose, directly or indirectly, the frustration of the exercise of the preferred right.

IV.4.1 For purposes of clarification of the provision in the previous item, the exercise of the preferred right set forth in this Clause IV shall not be applicable in the cases of direct or indirect encumbrance or alienation, in any form, of CSN control.

IV.4.2 Also for purposes of clarification of the provision in Item IV.4 above, the encumbrance or alienation of CSN control shall not revoke or otherwise modify CSN rights and obligations hereunder.

IV.5 For the purposes of Item IV.4, CVRD may exercise the preferred right established in this Clause IV upon the payment to CSN of the amount in national currency equivalent to the Economic Value of Casa de Pedra Mine. In case of disagreement on the part of CSN, the operation which originated the statement of exercise of the preferred right by CVRD shall be suspended and observed the procedures set forth in Items IV.6 and following.

IV.6 For purposes of ensuring the rigorous observance of Item IV.5 above, CSN shall promptly inform CVRD of any of the operations stated in Item IV.4 above, being reserved to the latter all remedies provided for herein, especially the specific performance covered by Item VI.7 hereof.

IV.7 In case of dispute mentioned in Item IV.5 in fine , CVRD shall effect the deposit (or offer collateral) in court, of amount equivalent to the accounting value of Casa de Pedra Mine appearing on the last audited balance sheet of CSN. Nevertheless, the amount equivalent to the Economic Value of the Casa de Pedra Mine shall be fully paid to CSN on the date of publication of the certificate of the final decision declaring the unequivocal existence of the operation which caused the frustration of the preferred right (“Final Decision”).

While (i) there is no Final Decision and (ii) the amount corresponding to the Economic Value of the Casa de Pedra Mine will not have been fully received by CSN, CSN (including CSN Controlled Companies, Itaguaí Project and companies where CSN holds equity under terms of Item II.7 hereof) shall continue in the possession and ownership of Casa de Pedra Mine, as well as in the use and enjoyment of all its rights related to Casa de Pedra Mine, observing the provisions in this Agreement.

V. CVRD's ENGAGEMENT IN STEEL PROJECT

V.1 If CVRD will decide to develop a “ Greenfield ” Steel Project, CVRD shall offer to CSN the preferred right to participate in the undertaking, through notice which shall be accompanied by the respective feasibility study, which shall contain, in detail, all specifications and conditions of said project.

V.2 CSN shall have 60 (sixty) calendar days counting from the date of receipt of notice to express its decision to participate or not in the undertaking.

V.2.1 In case of affirmative answer by CSN, the Parties shall discuss in good faith the implementation of the undertaking described in the feasibility study, including the choice of vehicle-entity, definition of the respective interests and the relevant political and equity rights, forms of financing and other related matters.

V.2.2 In case of negative answer by CSN, or if, after lapsed 60 (sixty) calendar days, the understanding between the Parties is frustrated, CVRD may effect the implementation of the undertaking offered to CSN, maintaining same always under its Control, during the term specified in Item V.3 below, provided that CVRD will do it under the same terms and conditions appearing in the feasibility study presented to CSN.

V.3 The preference ensured to CSN under this Clause V shall inure for the term of 5 (five) years, counting from the date of signing of this agreement.

VI. GENERAL PROVISIONS

VI.1 Dissolving Conditions

VI.1.1 The condition of this agreement is that CVRD shall disentail from the Agreement and alienate, not later than April 23, 2002 , the total of its shareholding in CSN. The other signatories of the Agreement forthwith waive the preferred right in relation to CSN shares held by CVRD. The acquirer of such shares shall not subrogate in CVRD's rights and obligations appearing in the Agreement and such condition shall be annotated in the share registry book of CSN.

If such condition will not be fulfilled until the date above, CSN may, upon notice addressed to CVRD, terminate this agreement, provided that, for such purpose, it will notify CVRD within 90 (ninety) calendar days after such date.

VI.1.2 Any alteration in the shareholding composition of the Controlling Group of Valepar/CVRD resulting in the direct or indirect assignment of the Control of Valepar/CVRD to Foreign Shareholder being a steel company, trading company or iron ore producer, shall give to CSN the right to terminate this agreement, provided that, for such purpose, it shall notify CVRD within 90 (ninety) calendar days counting from the date when the transfer of Control of Valepar/CVRD will have occurred and publicly disclosed.

VI.1.3 In any of the events of early termination contemplated in Items VI.1.1 and VI.1.2, the lack of communication on the part of CSN within the terms set forth therein shall result in the lapsing of CSN's righ to denounce the agreement.

VI.1.4 The termination of the agreement in the events described in Items VI.1.1 and VI.1.2 above shall not result in right to indemnification or compensation of any nature, besides not affecting any agreements of long term ore supply existing at the time, which shall be in force according to the rules agreed upon therein.

VI.2 Required Information

VI.2.1 For the perfect exercise of the preferred rights agreed upon herein, the Party holding said right shall have ensured the disclosure of the required information which, directly or indirectly, will involve the Parties with third parties and which will have connection with the rights and obligations agreed upon herein, subject to privileged and confidential treatment.

VI.3 Restrictions

During the validity of this agreement:

(i) CSN may not pledge, mortgage or otherwise give to third parties as guarantee of its obligations, such Excess Ore (observing the provision in Items II>6 and II.7), as well as the Casa de Pedra Mine, unless obtaining previous consent in writing from CVRD.

This restriction excludes such guarantees provided to national or international development agencies or financial institutions in relation to loans or financing granted to CSN or the company under its control, provided that the guarantee instrument will safeguard the existence of this agreement and the related rights to the Casa de Pedra Mine and the Excess Ore in case of excussion of the guarantee;

(ii) the Parties may not pledge or otherwise give to third parties as a guarantee of their obligations, the rights which are ensured to them by this agreement;

(iii) the Parties may not assign or promise to assign to third parties this agreement or any rights resulting therefrom;

VI.4 Notices

VI.4.1 All not ices and communications which shall be transmitted hereunder shall be made in writing and forwarded by means of fax machine to the numbers designated below:

To CVRD:
Attn.: Chief Executive Officer (c.c to Executive Director of Ferrous Area and Legal Director) .
Fax number 21 8144592 – 21 8144784 – 21 8144493

To CSN:
Attn.: Executive Director of Infrastructure (c.c. Director of Mine and Legal Director)
Fax: 21 5861529 – 31 7491284 – 21 5861432

VI.4.2 Notices shall be considered received on the date and time indicated on the answer back of the fax machine.

VI.4.3 The change of addressee, address or any of the numbers above should be promptly notified to the other Party, as provided hereunder; if said communication will fail to be made, any notice or communication transmitted under Item VI.4.1 above shall be considered as having been regularly made or received.

VI.5 Registration

Immediately after the signing of this agreement, the Parties shall require the attachment of an authenticated counterpart to the records of proceeding number 43.306/56 under way at the National Department of Mineral Production (DNPM) and its registration on the margin of the registry of title of mining number 234-06/36 of the proper book of same department. The Parties, on this date, execute the proper application of registry at the DNPM, in two counterparts of equal contents, each Party holding one original.

VI.6 Totality

This agreement expresses the full understanding of the Parties with respect to the Excess Ore and their relationship referring to the subject of this agreement, and fully supersedes all and any rights and/or obligations arising from other instruments and/or written or oral agreements related to the iron ore of Casa de Pedra Mine, including but not limited to, the rights and obligations appearing in Clause 13 of the CSN Shareholders' Agreement dated 04/23/93, being hereby established that the eventual termination of such rights and obligations shall not reestablish, in any event, the rights and obligations now substituted for.

VI.7 Specific Performance

The Parties hereby accept and acknowledge that the non performance of the obligations herein contemplated does not represent settlement exclusively through payment of losses and damages, whereby they undertake to accept the specific performance of the obligations assumed hereunder, according to provision of Article 639 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

VI.8 Validity

This agreement shall be effective on the date of its execution and, observing the provision in Items VI.1 and VI.1.2, its provisions shall be applicable until the final term of the periods indicated in Items II.1, III.1, IV.1 and V.3 above.

VII. INTERVENORS

The Intervenors hereby sign this agreement to attest the full acknowledgment of its terms and undertake to practice any act required to the performance of the obligations contracted between the Parties.

And being thus agreed and covenanted, the Parties hereto, being bound by themselves and their successors, sign this instrument in 9 counterparts of equal tenor and form, in the presence of the 2 (two) undersigned witnesses.

Rio de Janeiro, March 15, 2001.

COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL
(Signed) (Illegible)
(Signed) (Illegible)

COMPANHIA VALE DO RIO DOCE
(Signed) (Illegible)
(Signed) (Illegible)

DOCEPAR S.A.

VICUNHA SIDERURGIA S.A.
(Signed) (Illegible)
(Signed) (Illegible)

VALEPAR S.A.
(Signed) (Illegible)
(Signed) (Illegible)

INTERMESA INVESTIMENTOS S.A
(Signed) (Illegible)
(Signed) (Illegible)

CLUBE DE INVESTIMENTOS CSN
(Signed) (Illegible)
(Signed) (Illegible)

CAIXA DE PREVIDÊNCIA DOS FUNCIONÁRIOS DO BANCO DO BRASIL – PREVI
(Signed) (Illegible)
(Signed) (Illegible)

BRADESPAR S.A.
(Signed) (Illegible)
(Signed) (Illegible)

Witnesses:
1. (Signed) Andréa Arias Vale-lloveias
Id: 07105071-0 – IFP

2. (Signed) Fernanda Chagas Iglesias Ribero
Id: 04497244-6 – IFP

ANNEX II

FORM OF EQUALIZATION OF THE PRICE OF SUPPLY OF EXCESS ORE

ITEM II.4

1. If the proposal presented by interested third party will be made on basis other than “FOB Mine” or will contain different commercial clause (that is, payment with goods and/or services), the equalization shall be performed according to external evaluation report obtained by CSN with company of recognized competence or prepared, jointly, by 3 independent experts, taking into consideration such criteria of prices and rates in force for railway, port and handling services, as well as the relevant tax aspects. If there is no agreement between the Parties as to the result of the equalization appearing in the above mentioned evaluation report, which shall be expressly and duly grounded, the offered price shall prevail.

ANNEX III

Place and date
TO
COMPANHIA VALE DO RIO DOCE
Av. Graça Aranha, 26 – 19 th floor
Downtown – Rio de Janeiro/RJ

Attn.: Executive Board

Gentlemen:
COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL, a corporate body under private law, with headquarters in the city of Rio de Janeiro, at rua Lauro Müller, 116 – 36 th floor and room 3402, enrolled at CNPJ/MF under number 33.042.730/0001-04, herein duly represented, under its Corporate By-laws, hereby represents, for all legal purposes and under terms of Item II.7.2 of the Agreement entered into with this company on ............. (the “Agreement”), that in this year of ............ , has the intention to supply Excess Ore to [ corporate name of steel company ] of which it is a shareholder of ...% of the capital stock, and that such supply shall obey the proportion in relation to the split of Casa de Pedra mine shown below, related to the year of [ include the year preceding the representation ]:

 

(t x thousand)

Extraction

 

Sterile Removal

 

Crude Production

 

Sinter Feed Production

 

Granulated Production

 

Pellet Feed Production

 

 

(%)

Split Total ROM

100

Split Sinter Feed

 

Split Granulated

 

Split Pellet Feed

 

Split Total PRODUCT

100

Split Sinter Feed 1

 

Split Granulated 2

 

Split Pellet Feed 3

 


1 Component Y of the formula specified in item II.7 of the Agreement.
2 Component X of the formula specified in item II.7 of the Agreement
3 Component Z of the formula specified in item II.7 of the Agreement.

Considering that the [ corporate name of the steel company ] consumed in [ include the year preceding the representation ] [ ] tons of iron ore, and according to the split of the Casa de Pedra Mine, we intend to supply to such company, for the year of [ include the year in question ] the following amount of sinter feed, granulated and pellet feed:

 

(t x thousand)

Sinter Feed

Up to [ ]

Granulated

Up to [ ]

Pellet Feed

Up to [ ]

Sincerely,
COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL.

ANNEX IV

Place and Date.
TO
COMPANHIA VALE DO RIO DOCE
Av. Graça Aranha, 26 – 19 th floor
Downtown, Rio de Janeiro/RJ
Attn.: Executive Board
Gentlemen:
COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL, a corporate body under private law, with headquarters in the city of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, at rua Lauro Müller, 116 – 36 th floor and room 3402, enrolled at CNPJ/MF under number 33.042.730/0001-04, herein duly represented under its Corporate By-Laws, hereby represents, for all legal purposes and under terms of Item II.7.4 of the Agreement entered into with this company on ..........., that, in the corporate year ended on December 31, ...... the supply of Excess Ore to [ corporate name of the steel company ] was the following:

 

(t x thousand)

Sinter Feed

[ ]

Granulated

[ ]

Pellet Feed

[ ]

[We inform that the proportion and the total amount established in Item II.7 of the Agreement and in our statement of [ insert date ] were observed].
or
[We inform that the total amount established in Item II.7 of the Agreement and in our statement of [ insert date ] was exceeded in [ ], [ ] and [ ] tons of [sinter feed], [granulated] and [pellet feed] respectively, and that such excess shall be duly compensated in the current corporate year, as provided for in Item II.7.5 of the Agreement.]

Sincerely,
COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL.

ANNEX I B

Descriptive Memorial of Manifest 234-06/36 of Casa de Pedra Memorial existing at DNPM


POINT

SIDE

DIRECTION


M201-M202 277,00 32°59' SE
M202-M203 558,00 32°53' SE
M203-M204 201,00 32°54' SE
M204-M205 315,00 32°53' SE
M205-M206 318,00 32°54' SE
M206-M207 461,00 32°53' SE
M207 -M208 1399,00 40°30' SE
M208-M209 250,00 51°47' SE
M209-M210 673,00 62°28' SE
M210-M211 243,00 85°20' NE
M211-M212 30,00 44°31' SE
M212-M213 99,00 59°05' SE
M213-M214 114,00 40°07' SE
M214-M215 24,00 73°36' SE
M215-M216 36,00 16°51' SE
M216-M217 113,00 40°02' SE
M217-M218 100,00 60°30' SE
M218-M219 74,00 23°35' SE
M219-M220 33,00 50°25' SE
M220-M221 38,00 89°41' SE
M221-M222 51,00 41°58' SE
M222-M223 83,00 07°52' SE
M223-M224 58,00 46°59' SE
M224-M225 94,00 85°33' NE
M225-M226 152,00 67°38' NE
M226-M227 94,00 81°11' SE
M227-M228 97,00 61°38' SE
M228-M229 68,00 17°10' SE
M229-M230 145,00 20°50' SE
M230-M231 146,00 32°43' SE
M231-M232 60,00 62°34' SE
M232-M233 159,00 89°09' NE
M233-M234 172,00 54°00' SW
M234-M235 93,00 81°52' SE
M235-M236 90,00 30°37' SW
M236-M237 61,00 06°56' SW
M237-M238 58,00 30°34' SE
M238-M239 94,00 32°22' SE
M239-M240 67,00 04°43' SE
M240-M241 273,00 02°57' SW
M241-M242 52,00 07°03' SE
M242-M243 58,00 65°25' NE
M243-M244 89,00 74°54' SE
M244-M245 65,00 85°03' NE
M245-M246 39,00 67°48' SE
M246-M247 59,00 48°17' SE
M247-M248 55,00 46°12' SE
M248-M249 25,00 65°25' SE
M249-M250 37,00 49°22' SE
M250-M251 83,00 41°49' SE
M251-M252 52,00 71°55' SE
M252-M253 71,00 61°01' SE
M253-M00 54,00 55°12' SE
M00-M01 41,00 44°15' SE
M01-M02 20,00 72°35' SE
M02-M03 29,00 79°31' NE
M03-M04 43,00 44°50'SE
M04-M05 50,00 48°35' SE
M05-M06 50,00 59°19' SE
M06-M07 42,00 67°03' SE
M07-M08 76,00 73°04' SE
M08-M09 80,00 69°00' SE
M09-M10 55,00 34°24' SE
M10-M11 34,00 11°04' SE
M11-M12 164,00 47°53' SE
M12-M13 70,00 57°21' SE
M13-M14 87,00 75°54' SE
M14-M15 67,00 63°01' SE
M15-M16 143,00 61°43' SE
M16-M17 128,00 37°46' SE
M17-M18 101,00 55°57' SE
M18-M19 101,00 32°55' SE
M19-M20 73,00 45°51' SW
M20-M21 42,00 86°37' SW
M21-M22 55,00 57°11' NW
M22-M23 303,00 41°50' NW
M23-M24 63,00 60°08' NW
M24-M25 46,00 88°43' SW
M25-M26 91,00 57°51' SW
M26-M27 47,00 82°23' NW
M27-M28 76,00 49°31' NW
M28-M29 154,00 05°40' NW
M29-M30 83,00 62°54' NW
M30-M31 121,00 80°06' SW
M31-M32 149,00 62°01' SW
M32-M33 179,00 62°54' NW
M33-M34 113,00 04°19' NW
M34-M35 124,00 27°19' NE
M35-M36 81,00 04°42' NE
M36-M37 32,00 24°35' NW
M37-M38 245,00 54°15' SW
M38-M39 76,00 30°53' SW
M39-M40 71,00 51°01' SW
M40-M41 35,00 05°51' SW
M41-M42 81,00 28°17' SW
M42-M43 66,00 09°57' SW
M43-M44 29,00 23°24' SE
M44-M45 60,00 04°49' SE
M45-M46 40,00 49°01' SE
M46-M47 73,00 52°21' SW
M47-M48 58,00 62°46' SW
M48-M49 24,00 11°45' SW
M49-M50 66,00 66°29' SW
M50-M51 47,00 44°07' SW
M51-M52 39,00 33°59' SW
M52-M53 55,00 56°01' SW
M53-M54 67,00 35°08' SW
M54-M55 101,00 10°34' SW
M55-M56 295,00 15°13' SE
M56-M57 50,00 88°52' SE
M57-M58 88,00 29°41' SE
M58-V02 204,00 85°46' SE
V02-V03 48,00 21°16' SW
V03- V04 98,00 00°27' SW
V04-V05 267,00 02°45' SW
V05-V06 176,00 42°45'SW
VO6-V07 96,00 20°41'SW
VO7-V08 108,00 10°22'SW
V08-V09 86,00 31°15'SW
V09-V10 122,00 59°12' SW
V10-V11 182,00 78°50' SW
V11-V12 146,00 56°27' SW
V12-V13 123,00 58°58' SW
V13-V14 128,00 62°07' SW
V14-V15 81,00 37°05' NE
V15-V16 31,00 54°36' NW
V16-V17 33,00 29°11' NE
V17-N18 129,00 87°01' NE
V18-V19 76,00 11°52'NE
V19-V20 46,00 73°54' NE
V20-M59 54,00 67°45' SE
M59-M60 63,00 13°17' NE
M60-M61 128,00 24°21' NW
M61-M62 73,00 53°37' NE
M62-M63 157,00 53°34' NW
M63-M64 333,00 10°37' NW
M64-M65 165,00 15°08' NE
M65-M66 266,00 12°30' NW
M66-M67 48,00 48°22' NW
M67-M68 528,00 82°42' NW
M68-M69 132,00 56°15' SW
M69-M70 260,00 75°40' NW
M70-M71 232,00 74°47' NW
M71-M72 267,00 67°05' SW
M72-M73 109,00 56°01' NW
M73-M74 47,00 60°01' NW
M74-M75 125,00 60°16' NW
M75-M76 151,00 53°44' NW
M76-M77 106,00 08°29' NW
M77-M78 131,00 02°21' NW
M78-M79 76,00 19°43' NW
M79-M80 171,00 33°36' NW
M80-M81 115,00 63°27' NW
M81-M82 146,00 29°31' NW
M82-M83 175,00 13°30' NW
M83-M84 158,00 24°28' NW
M84-M85 109,00 13°34' NW
M85-M86 85,00 07°08' NW
M86-M87 68,00 62°34' NW
M87-M88 116,00 77°49' SW
M88-M89 197,00 55°05' NW
M89-M90 97,00 75°40' NW
M90-M91 153,00 61°01' NW
M91-M92 120,00 71°58' NW
M92-M93 110,00 44°07' NW
M93-M94 100,00 89°05' SW
M94-M95 224,00 80°35' SW
M95-M96 139,00 60°20' NW
M96-M97 276,00 50°45' NW
M97-M98 81,00 45°22' NW
M98-M99 126,00 62°03' NW
M99-M100 165,00 75°27' NW
M100-M101 347,00 59°45' NW
M101-M102 254,00 59°12' NW
M102-M103 144,00 65°33' SW
M103-M104 69,00 49°37' SW
M104-M105 108,00 29°02' SW
M105-M106 39,00 41°05' SW
M106-M107 35,00 79°16' SW
M107-M108 36,00 88°53' SW
M108-M109 99,00 77°29' NW
M109-M110 317,00 75°43' SW
M110-M111 260,00 76°13 'SW
M111-M112 236,00 76°19' SW
M112-M113 192,00 76°47' SW
M113-M114 93,00 56°10' SW
M114-M115 300,00 62°37' NW
M115-M116 108,00 62°06' NW
M116-M117 410,00 68°57' NW
M117-M118 223,00 65°29' NW
M118-M119 343,00 43°23' NW
M119-M120 362,00 35°09' NW
M120-M121 197,00 52°11' NE
M121-M122 36,00 44°19' NE
M122-M123 62,00 62°11' NE
M123-M124 86,00 14°52' NE
M124-M125 130,00 41°45' NE
M125-M126 90,00 48°56' NW
M126-M127 175,00 22°22' NE
M127-M128 266,00 55°09' NE
M128-M129 68,00 12°18' NW
M129-M130 178,00 08°18' NE
M130-M131 124,00 11°56' NE
M131-M132 305,00 16°03' NE
M132-M133 120,00 28°26' NW
M133-M134 203,00 53°58' NE
M134-M135 172,00 06°26' NW
M135-M136 78,00 35°44' NE
M136-M137 214,00 42°37' NE
M137-M138 158,00 15°45' NE
M138-M139 277,00 00°28' NW
M139-M140 93,00 20°48' NW
M140-M141 103,00 00°01' NE
M141-M142 132,00 10°29' NE
M142-M143 125,00 19°09' NE
M143-M144 214,00 35°05' NE
M144-M145 118,00 40°27' NE
M145-M146 57,00 40°50' NE
M146-M147 106,00 28°13' NE
M147-M148 62,00 35°23' NE
M148-M149 151,00 27°41' NE
M149-M150 64,00 37°32' NE
M150-M151 55,00 72°29' NE
M151-M152 60,00 71°28' SE
M152-M153 75,00 85°15' SE
M153-M154 37,00 16°44' SE
M154-M155 113,00 58°07' SE
M155-M156 55,00 33°43' SE
M156-M157 40,00 13°41' SE
M157-M158 30,00 71°14' SE
M158-M159 26,00 59°31' NE
M159-M160 34,00 41°13' SE
M160-M161 41,00 46°25' NE
M161-M162 65,00 70°54' NE
M162-M163 54,00 76°22' SE
M163-M164 88,00 69°18' NE
M164-M165 53,00 37°58' SE
M165-M166 33,00 70°42' NE
M166-M167 50,00 24°12' SE
M167-M168 37,00 09°58' SW
M168-M169 63,00 56°50' SE
M169-M170 47,00 35°31' SE
M170-M171 52,00 33°29' SW
M171-M172 67,00 53°27' SE
M172-M173 50,00 40°13' SE
M173-M174 58,00 09°43' SE
M174-M175 71,00 34°46' SE
M175-M176 70,00 53°13' SE
M176-M177 45,00 20°14' SE
M177-M178 45,00 23°08' SW
M178-M179 96,00 09°50' SE
M179-M180 75,00 19°23' SE
M180-M181 65,00 48°13' SE
M181-M182 33,00 13°05' SW
M182-M183 39,00 36°10' SE
M183-M184 36,00 19°39' SE
M184-M185 25,00 86°26' SE
M185-M186 36,00 55°35' NE
M186-M187 30,00 83°07' SE
M187-M188 45,00 72°08' NE
M188-M189 44,00 52°19' NE
M189-M190 23,00 28°40' NE
M190-M191 62,00 78°28' NE
M191-M192 54,00 84°22' NE
M192-M193 143,00 82°22' NE
M193-M194 119,00 09°00' NW
M194-M195 166,00 24°41' NE
M195-M196 69,00 51°09' NW
M196-M197 114,00 40°34' NE
M197-M198 142,00 03°54' NW
M198-M199 144,00 30°17' NE
M199-M200 326,00 44°39' NE
M200-M201 70,00 61°18' NE

 


 

 
SIGNATURE
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: March 4, 2004

 
COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL
By:
/S/  Otavio de Garcia Lazcano

 
Otavio de Garcia Lazcano
Principal Financial Officer
 

 

 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.