Brazilian iron ore and mining company Vale has announced its operational results for the fourth quarter last year, reporting iron ore production of 101 million mt, rising 8.2 percent year on year. In the given period, Vale's pellet production amounted to 15.8 million mt, up 22.6 percent compared to the same quarter of 2017, mainly due to the ramp-up of the Tubarão I, Tubarão II and São Luis pellet plants.
In 2018, Vale produced 384.64 million mt of iron ore, up 4.9 percent, while its pellet output increased by 9.9 percent to 55.3 million mt.
In the fourth quarter, Vale's nickel production decreased by 17.9 percent year on year to 64,000 mt. In 2018, the company's nickel output fell by 15.1 percent year on year to 244,600 mt.
According to its statement, Vale’s annual iron ore production has been impacted by 92.8 million mt, with suspensions at the Feijão, Vargem Grande and Fábrica complexes and at the Brucutu, Timbopeba and Alegria mines after the Brumadinho dam collapse. On the other hand, the Brazilian company estimates an annual 11 million mt pellet production shortfall, caused by suspensions at the Fabrica and Vargem Grande pelletizing plants.