Brazilian miner Vale said in a statement that its iron ore production reached 69.675 million metric tons (MT) in the first quarter of 2026, up 3 percent from the first quarter of 2025, while pellet production rose 13.7 percent to 8.169 million tonnes in the same period.
Increased iron production ore was the result of record production at S11D and Brucutu Mines, as well as ongoing expansion efforts at the Kapanema and VGR1 projects.
The higher level of pellet production reflects improved operating performance at the Tubarao pellet plants.
On the same comparative basis, iron ore sales increased by 3.9 percent to 68.713 million tonnes, with fines sales increasing by 4.7 percent to 59.436 million tons. tonnes, pellet sales increased 2.7% to 7.699 million tonnes and run-of-mine sales decreased 16.3% to 1.578 million tonnes.
Average selling prices achieved by the company for the period were $85.80/t for iron ore fines, up 4.4%, and $133.80/t for pellets, up 5 percent with the first quarter of 2025.
The company maintains its 2026 production forecast of 335 to 345 million tons of iron ore and 30 to 34 million tons of pellets.
