Production Report 1Q19

About Vale

Production Report 1Q19

Vale's Production Report for the first quarter of 2019 (1Q19) was announced on Wednesday, May 08. The document provides an overview of the company's operations during the period.

Iron ore fines production totaled 72.9 Mt in 1Q19, 28% and 11% lower than 4Q18 and 1Q18, respectively, mainly as a result of the impacts following the Brumadinho dam rupture and the stronger than usual weather-related seasonality. Vale pellet production1 totaled 12.2 Mt in 1Q19, 23% and 5% lower than 4Q18 and 1Q18, respectively, mainly due to stoppages of pellet plants, following the Brumadinho dam rupture, as well as scheduled maintenances carried out in Tubarão and Oman.

Iron ore fines and pellet sales volume was 67.7 Mt in 1Q19, 30% and 20% lower than in 4Q18 and 1Q18, respectively. The share of premium products in total sales was 81% in 1Q19, remaining practically in line with 4Q18.

Download 1Q19 Production Report

See highlights of some of our businesses:

Iron ore

Iron Ore and pellets

  • Iron ore production was 72.9 Mt in 1Q19.
  • Iron ore production was 28% and 11% lower than in 4Q18 and 1Q18, respectively, mainly as a result of the impacts following the Brumadinho dam rupture and the stronger than usual weather-related seasonality.
  • Vale’s pellet production was 12.2 Mt, 23% and 5% lower than in 4Q18 and 1Q18, respectively.
Find out more about our iron ore and pellet activities

Nickel

Nickel

  • Production of finished nickel reached 54,800 t in 1Q19, 14.4% lower than 4Q18 and 6.5% lower than 1Q18.
  • The decrease was mainly due to lower production from: (i) PTVI, due to the scheduled maintenance shutdown at the Matsusaka refinery, in Japan; (ii) VNC, due to the scheduled maintenance at the Dalian refinery, in China; and, (iii) Sudbury, due to timing differences in the nickel processing chain.
  • Nickel sales volumes were 50,300 t in 1Q19, 15.4% lower than in 4Q18.
Find out more about our nickel activities

Coal

Coal

  • Coal production totaled 2.2 Mt in 1Q19.  
  • The production was 28.8% and 9% lower than in 4Q18 and 1Q18, respectively, as a result of extremely severe rains throughout the quarter.
Find out more about our coal activities

Copper

Copper

  • Copper production reached 93,800 t in 1Q19, 14.6% lower than 4Q18 and in line with 1Q18.
  • Production decreased mainly due to lower feed grades and lower plant throughput at various operations.
  • Sales volumes of copper reached 90,400 t in 1Q19, 13.2% lower than in 4Q18, reflecting lower production volumes.
Find out more about our copper activities

1Q19 Financial Report

Access our 1Q19 Financial Report. On May 10th, after the report has been released, some of our key executives will participate in webcasts with investors to present the quarter’s results.

Check out how to access the webcasts