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Released August 04, 2025 | SUGAR LAND
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Written by Amir Richani for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Brazilian miner Vale S.A. (Rio de Janeiro) is on track to fulfill its production guidelines for this year, despite registering weaker financial results.
Vale recorded a net income of US$2.1 billion during Q2, about 24% lower than during the same period last year. At the same time, the company maintained solid operational performance in its iron ore and copper production.
The financial results were the result of lower iron ore prices and sales. However, copper and nickel sales increased during the quarter.
Between April and June, the company produced 84 million tons of iron ore, 3.7% more than the same period last year and 23.6% more than the previous quarter.
The stronger production was the outcome of improved operational performance at the S11D mine, the commissioning of the Brucutu mine's fourth processing line, and the ramp-up of the Capanema project in the company's Southern system, also in Brazil.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Metals & Minerals Plant and Project Databases can read profiles on the SIID and Brucutu mineS, and click here for more information on the Capanema project.
m Iron ore guidance for the year ranges from 325 million to 335 million tons.
Iron ore pellet production, however, decreased one metric ton year on year, as the company revised its guidance down to between 31 million and 35 million tons for 2025 due to current market conditions. As a result, it anticipates preventive maintenance at the São Luis palletization plant during the third quarter.
Meanwhile, copper output stood at 93,000 tons in Q2, 17.8% higher year on year. This was the outcome of strong production from the Salobo mine, which reached its full ramp-up following the Salobo 3 implementation and firm performance.
At the same time, Vale boosted production at its Sossego mine by 5,200 tons year on year due to higher feed grades and plant availability.
Subscribers can read more information on the Salobo and Sossego mines.
The company also received the preliminary license for its Bacaba project, which will extend the life of the Sossego mine and add volumes of 50,000 tons per year over eight years. The project is expected to start up in the first half of the year and cost US$290 million in investments. Subscribers can click here for related project reports.
Copper guidance for this year ranges from 340,000 to 370,000 tons.
Nickel operations were also higher year on year, with a boost of 44.4% to reach 40,300 tons during Q2, although that was about 8.2% lower than in Q1. Productivity improvements at the Sudbury mine in Canada drove the solid operational performance at the Clarabelle mill, higher mine output and lower planned maintenance.
At the same time, the Voisey's Bay mine in Canada increased its underground output by 121%, helping Vale reach solid operational results.
Subscribers can click here for more information on the three facilities.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Project and Plant databases can click here for a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article, and click here for a full list of related plant profiles.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
Vale recorded a net income of US$2.1 billion during Q2, about 24% lower than during the same period last year. At the same time, the company maintained solid operational performance in its iron ore and copper production.
The financial results were the result of lower iron ore prices and sales. However, copper and nickel sales increased during the quarter.
Between April and June, the company produced 84 million tons of iron ore, 3.7% more than the same period last year and 23.6% more than the previous quarter.
The stronger production was the outcome of improved operational performance at the S11D mine, the commissioning of the Brucutu mine's fourth processing line, and the ramp-up of the Capanema project in the company's Southern system, also in Brazil.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Metals & Minerals Plant and Project Databases can read profiles on the SIID and Brucutu mineS, and click here for more information on the Capanema project.
m Iron ore guidance for the year ranges from 325 million to 335 million tons.
Iron ore pellet production, however, decreased one metric ton year on year, as the company revised its guidance down to between 31 million and 35 million tons for 2025 due to current market conditions. As a result, it anticipates preventive maintenance at the São Luis palletization plant during the third quarter.
Meanwhile, copper output stood at 93,000 tons in Q2, 17.8% higher year on year. This was the outcome of strong production from the Salobo mine, which reached its full ramp-up following the Salobo 3 implementation and firm performance.
At the same time, Vale boosted production at its Sossego mine by 5,200 tons year on year due to higher feed grades and plant availability.
Subscribers can read more information on the Salobo and Sossego mines.
The company also received the preliminary license for its Bacaba project, which will extend the life of the Sossego mine and add volumes of 50,000 tons per year over eight years. The project is expected to start up in the first half of the year and cost US$290 million in investments. Subscribers can click here for related project reports.
Copper guidance for this year ranges from 340,000 to 370,000 tons.
Nickel operations were also higher year on year, with a boost of 44.4% to reach 40,300 tons during Q2, although that was about 8.2% lower than in Q1. Productivity improvements at the Sudbury mine in Canada drove the solid operational performance at the Clarabelle mill, higher mine output and lower planned maintenance.
At the same time, the Voisey's Bay mine in Canada increased its underground output by 121%, helping Vale reach solid operational results.
Subscribers can click here for more information on the three facilities.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Project and Plant databases can click here for a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article, and click here for a full list of related plant profiles.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
