Vale’s iron ore output in Q2 declined 2.8 percent, year-on-year, to 86.82 million mt, the Brazilian miner and iron ore producer said on Thursday.
Vale’s iron ore output figures excludes Samarco’s production and includes Vale’s purchases from third party companies.
According to Vale, iron ore production in Q2 rose 12 percent, quarter-on-quarter, thanks to a better performance at its North System.
Vale’s pellet output in Q2 diminished 17.9 percent, year-on-year, and 12.4 percent, quarter-on-quarter, to 10.04 million mt, due to the halt of Samarco’s operations and to a programmed maintenance at Vale’s Tubarao plant in Q2.
Vale’s manganese production in the same quarter declined 0.2 percent, year-on-year, to 553,000 mt, and 7.3 percent, quarter-on-quarter.
Ferroalloys production in Q2 was 28,630 mt, 8 percent down, year-on-year, but 15.3 percent up, quarter-on-quarter, thanks to the restart of the Barbacena plant in February this year, Vale said, adding exports of the product became feasible due to lower electricity costs, which were 8 percent down compared to the same quarter of the year prior.