On the evening of the 22nd, local time, Vale, the mining giant headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, released its production and sales report for the second quarter of 2025, stating that all of Vale’s business segments performed steadily.

The report indicates that in the iron ore business, newly acquired assets are gradually ramping up production, and operational reliability continues to improve. These factors will help the company more smoothly achieve its 2025 production targets. In the nickel and copper businesses, ongoing operational improvements drove second-quarter production levels to new highs not seen since 2021 and 2019, respectively, further solidifying the growth momentum. In June of this year, the Bacaba project made significant progress by obtaining preliminary approval.

In the second quarter of 2025, total iron ore production reached 83.6 million tons, an increase of 3 million tons, or 4%, compared to the same period last year. The primary drivers were strong performance from the Brucutu operating area, which entered trial operation with its fourth beneficiation production line, as well as a new quarterly production record set at the S11D mine. Total pellet production totaled 7.9 million tons, down 1 million tons, or 12%, year-on-year, in line with the revised 2025 production guidance targets. Total iron ore sales amounted to 77.3 million tons, a decrease of 2.4 million tons, or 3%, year-on-year, due to the company’s implementation of a product mix optimization strategy that prioritized supplying medium-grade products.

In the second quarter of 2025, total copper production reached 92,600 tons, an increase of 14,000 tons year-on-year, representing a growth rate of 18%. This improvement was driven by higher grades at the Sossego operating area, full production at the Salobo operating area, and the gradual ramp-up of production at the Voise Bay Mining Expansion Project (VBME). This marks the highest second-quarter output since 2019, continuing the three-year trend of sustained production growth.

In the second quarter of 2025, total nickel production reached 40,300 tonnes, an increase of 12,400 tonnes year-on-year, representing a growth rate of 44%. This improvement was driven by stronger asset performance in the Canadian and Onça Puma operating areas, as well as a reduction in planned maintenance activities. Additionally, it was further boosted by the gradual ramp-up of production from the Voisey’s Bay mine expansion project. The Long Harbour refinery achieved a production volume of 11,000 tonnes, marking its best-ever quarterly performance. Overall, nickel production for the second quarter reached its highest level since 2021.