Vale: Production and Sales Report for the First Quarter of 2026
2026-04-17 10:00:09
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 16, 2026
Vale maintained strong production and sales momentum in the first quarter of 2026, with several assets achieving record production levels. In the iron ore business, continued ramp-up of new assets drove steady output growth, while sales reached the highest first-quarter level since 2018. In the copper and nickel businesses, both copper and nickel production achieved double-digit growth, with copper production reaching its best first-quarter level since 2017 and nickel production its best first-quarter level since 2020.
In the first quarter of 2026, total iron ore production reached 69.7 million tonnes, a 3% increase (2 million tonnes) year-on-year. This growth was driven by record production at the S11D and Brucutu mines, as well as continued ramp-up at the Capanema and VGR1 plants. Iron ore pellet production reached 8.2 million tonnes, a 14% increase (1 million tonnes) year-on-year. This growth was driven by improved performance at the Tubarão pellet plant. Iron ore sales totaled 68.7 million tonnes, a 4% increase (2.6 million tonnes) year-on-year, consistent with production growth.
In the first quarter of 2026, total copper production reached 102,300 tonnes, a 13% increase (11,400 tonnes) year-on-year. This growth was driven by record production at the Salobo and Sossego operating areas and robust operations at the Voisey's Bay polymetallic mine.
In the first quarter of 2026, total nickel production reached 49,300 tonnes, a 12% increase (5,400 tonnes) year-on-year. This growth was driven by the full-quarter operation of the Onça Puma No. 2 smelter and robust operations at the Voys Bay underground mine, which propelled the Long Harbour nickel refinery to a record first-quarter production.
Vale maintained strong production and sales momentum in the first quarter of 2026, with several assets achieving record production levels. In the iron ore business, continued ramp-up of new assets drove steady output growth, while sales reached the highest first-quarter level since 2018. In the copper and nickel businesses, both copper and nickel production achieved double-digit growth, with copper production reaching its best first-quarter level since 2017 and nickel production its best first-quarter level since 2020.
In the first quarter of 2026, total iron ore production reached 69.7 million tonnes, a 3% increase (2 million tonnes) year-on-year. This growth was driven by record production at the S11D and Brucutu mines, as well as continued ramp-up at the Capanema and VGR1 plants. Iron ore pellet production reached 8.2 million tonnes, a 14% increase (1 million tonnes) year-on-year. This growth was driven by improved performance at the Tubarão pellet plant. Iron ore sales totaled 68.7 million tonnes, a 4% increase (2.6 million tonnes) year-on-year, consistent with production growth.
In the first quarter of 2026, total copper production reached 102,300 tonnes, a 13% increase (11,400 tonnes) year-on-year. This growth was driven by record production at the Salobo and Sossego operating areas and robust operations at the Voisey's Bay polymetallic mine.
In the first quarter of 2026, total nickel production reached 49,300 tonnes, a 12% increase (5,400 tonnes) year-on-year. This growth was driven by the full-quarter operation of the Onça Puma No. 2 smelter and robust operations at the Voys Bay underground mine, which propelled the Long Harbour nickel refinery to a record first-quarter production.
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