Brazil-based miner Vale has announced its operational results for the fourth quarter of 2017, reporting iron ore production of 93.4 million mt, decreasing by 1.8 percent compared to the third quarter, due to the seasonal weather conditions in the Southeastern and Southern Systems. In the given quarter, Vale’s pellet production achieved a new quarterly record of 12.89 million mt, up one percent compared to the previous quarter. Vale’s iron ore production guidance for the current year stands at around 390 million mt.
In the fourth quarter this year, Vale's nickel production increased by 7.3 percent quarter on quarter to 78,000 mt.
Meanwhile, in the given quarter, Vale’s coal production reached 2.6 million mt, decreasing by 19.8 percent compared to the third quarter. Production of metallurgical coal from Vale's Mozambique mine amounted to 1.4 million mt, 23.4 percent lower than the previous quarter.