Vale triples exports from flagship mine

Brazilian mining giant Vale exported 48.3Mt of iron ore from its flagship S11D Carajás mine (pictured) in Pará state during January-October.

The amount compares with 13.8Mt from the US$14.3bn mine, which is currently being ramped up, during the same period last year.

Export revenue in the period reached US$2.27bn, up from US$665mn, according to data from foreign trade department Secex.

Vale opened the mine in Canaã dos Carajás municipality in December 2016 and the first commercial shipment of 26,500t was made in January last year.

RAMP-UP

In May, Vale said it expects iron ore output from the mine to reach 58Mt this year, topping a previous forecast of 50-55Mt from late 2017. Production for 2019 is expected to reach 70-80Mt and nominal output of 90Mt/y is due to be hit in 2020, adding 75Mt net capacity to the northern system, which also includes the mines in the Carajás complex and Serra Leste, the company said previously.

Vale's total output for 2017 was a record 367Mt, due in part to S11D but also boosted by higher production at the Conceição I plant, part of the company's southeastern system, which concluded its ramp-up in 2016.