Vale Records Record Iron Ore Production in 2017

Brazilian miner Vale said total iron ore production last year reached a record 366.5 million tonnes, boosted by record production in its so-called northern system, even though iron ore sales were slightly down from 2016. ...

The Northern System, consisting of its Carajas, Serra Leste and its massive S11D mine, boasted 169.2 million tonnes of iron ore, the world's largest iron ore producer said in a statement confirming plans to reach 390 million tonnes this year.

But iron ore sales were down 0.7 percent from 2016, even as Chinese steel mills pursued high-quality iron ore produced by Vale and Australian rivals Rio Tinto PLC and BHP Billiton Ltd - to increase productivity and meet Beijing's tougher environmental standards. ...