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| Vale |
Nickel Output Falls While Copper Production Rises
Vale has reported a year-on-year decline in nickel production for 2024, with total output reaching approximately 160,000 metric tons (t), a 3% drop from the previous year. The decrease was primarily driven by lower production in Indonesia and furnace rebuilds at the Onça Puma facility in Brazil.
In Brazil, nickel production declined by 17% to 14,200t due to the Onça Puma furnace rebuild, which was completed in Q3. However, production rebounded in Q4, reaching 4,800t, up from just 600t in Q3. Meanwhile, Vale's Canadian operations, including Sudbury and Voisey’s Bay, saw a 10.6% year-on-year increase, producing 65,800t. Indonesian production fell 9.6% to 80,300t, contributing to the overall decline.
Copper Output Increases Amid Higher Production at Salobo and Sudbury
While nickel production declined, Vale's copper output showed a positive trend, rising 3% year-on-year in Q4 to 101,800t. The increase was driven by strong performance at the Salobo and Sudbury operations, as well as ramp-up activities at Voisey’s Bay underground mines.
For the full year, Vale produced 348,000t of copper, marking a 6.6% increase compared to 2023. The Salobo mine led growth with an 11% increase, producing 200,000t in 2024, while Sudbury’s copper output edged up 1.2% to 58,600t.
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