SÃO PAULO — JBS S.A. announced plans to not only resume its beef processing operation in Diamantino, Mato Grosso, on Nov. 20, but also to expand it to make it the largest beef plant in Latin America. During the initial stages, JBS will invest R$300 million ($62 million) in the project.

After a fire damaged the facility in June this year, the Friboi brand facility’s operations were put on pause.

Now that the plant is operational again, it will start an initial processing capacity of 600 head of cattle per day, ramping up to 1,800 in the coming weeks. The plant employs 3,000 workers divided into two shifts.

“This investment reinforces our commitment to the development of the regions in which we operate,” said Gilberto Xandó, chief executive officer of JBS Brazil. “In the State of Mato Grosso alone, we already employ more than 9,500 people.”

The Diamantino plant will eventually have a capacity of 3,600 head per day, JBS said.

JBS anticipates the completion of the expansion in 2024. Part of the expansion includes adding new structures, like a freezing tunnel, an expanded space for packaging vacuum products and an exclusive area for future line installations specific to producing portioned beef cuts.

“The Diamantino factory is equipped with the most modern automation and the highest technology in beef processing and freezing, with a focus on value-added products and portioned products,” said Renato Costa, president of Friboi.