BHP Billiton and Vale to increase pellet capacity of Samarco

Australian iron ore giant BHP Billiton and its Brazilian peer Vale have approved the US$3.5 billion fourth pellet plant project at their equally owned iron ore pellet producer company Samarco in Brazil. The expansion will increase Samarco's iron ore pellet production capacity by 8.3 million mt to 30.5 million mt per annum. First pellet production is expected in the first half of calendar year 2014.