Vale’s Q1 performance was marked by robust iron ore sales, which increased by 15% y/y, and by consistent improvement in iron ore operations. On copper, Salobo 3 reached ~90% average throughput rate in the quarter. On nickel, Canadian and Indonesian operations delivered stronger performance y/y.

Iron ore production totaled 70.8 Mt, increasing 6% y/y, driven by S11D’s improved operating performance, continued asset reliability initiatives and higher 3rd party purchases. Pellets production totaled 8.5 Mt, up 2% y/y, driven by higher pellet feed availability. Iron ore sales reached 63.8 Mt in 1Q24, 15% higher y/y. 

Copper production totaled 81.9 kt, 22% higher y/y, driven by a continued solid ramp-up at Salobo 3, as well as by better operational performance at the Salobo 1 & 2 plants.

Nickel production totaled 39.5 kt, decreasing by 4% y/y, mainly reflecting the Onça Puma furnace rebuild, partially offset by stronger performance at the Canadian and Indonesian operations.

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