[Ferro-Alloys.com] 

Vale released its 2020 production and sales report, which said that in 2020, Vale iron ore production accumulated 300.4 million tons, flat with 2019. In the fourth quarter of 2020, Vale ore production was 84.5 million tons, down 5% from the previous quarter. Considering production constraints, by the end of 2020, Vale iron ore production capacity reached 322 million tons, the company expects iron ore production capacity by 2021 will reach 350 million tons. In 2020, Vale pellet mineral volume accumulated 29.7 million tons, down 29.0% from 2019. The pellet mineral volume in this quarter was 7.1 million tons, 1.4 million tons less than the previous quarter. 

In 2020, the iron ore and pellet sales reached 286.1 million tons, 5% lower than iron ore production. In the fourth quarter of 2020, Vale iron ore powder and pellet sales reached 91.3 million tons, with a product premium of $4.3 per ton. Sales in China reached a record 64 million tons in this quarter (58 million tons in the fourth quarter of 2019).

In 2020, the finished nickel production (excluding New Caledonian plants) was 183700 tons, flat with 2019. In 2020, the copper production reached 360,100 tons, down 5.5% from 2019. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the nickel production reached 559,00 tons, up 19% from the previous quarter.

In 2020, the copper production reached 360,100 tons, down 5.5% from 2019. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the copper production reached 93,500 tons, up 7% from the previous quarter.