Brazil-based mining giant Vale has announced its production results for the first quarter of 2013.
In the first quarter, Vale produced 67.53 million mt of iron ore, falling 3.5 percent compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Iron ore output from the Carajás site amounted to 21.6 million mt in the given quarter, down 0.5 percent year on year. The miner's pellet production decreased by 11.7 percent year on year to 11.67 million mt.
According to Vale, rainfall in its iron ore mining sites in Brazil was in line with its seasonal pattern, being more concentrated on the coastal regions, raising challenges for the operation of the company's maritime terminals, Ponta da Madeira, Tubaro, Guaíba Island and Itaguai. Production dropped on a year-on-year basis, this time influenced by constraints related to permits and other operational issues. Vale stated that, despite the 3.5 percent year-on-year drop in the first quarter, the company is maintaining its production guidance of 306 million mt of iron ore for 2013.
In the first quarter, Vale's metallurgical coal output increased to 1.37 million mt, up 21.9 percent compared to the same quarter of 2012. The company registered a three percent growth in its nickel output for the first quarter, amounting to 65,000 mt.
