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Vale's iron ore production in Brazil fell 4.5% during the first quarter

Vale's iron ore production in Brazil fell 4.5% during the first quarter

The Brazilian miner Vale reported that it produced 67.7 millions metric tons (tonnage) of iron during the first quarter 2025. This is a 4.5% decrease from the year before, according to its report on sales and production.

Vale, one of the largest iron ore producers in the world, said that high rainfall levels affected its Brazilian Northern System mining complex. However, the company added that the performance was within its plans, and adhered to its 2025 output guidance.

Vale confirmed its forecast of producing between 325 and 335 millions tons of iron ore by 2025.

The report shows that sales of the ingredient used in steelmaking rose by 3.6% year-on-year, to 66.1 millions tons. Vale attributes the growth to "supply-chain flexibility utilizing advanced inventories."

Vale's average realized iron ore price was $90.8 per ton for the March quarter, down nearly 10% from last year and 2.4% from the previous quarter.

Vale's base metals business saw its copper production increase by 11% quarter-on-quarter to 90,900 tonnes. Nickel production also increased by 11% to 43,900 tonnes in the same period. Reporting by Andre Romani and Marta Nogueira from Sao Paulo, editing by Natalia Siniawski

(source: Reuters)