OREANDA-NEWS. Vale informs that it is in negotiations on an exclusive basis with a consortium led by Brookfield Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., for the sale of approximately 26% of Vale's stake in VLI, an integrated general cargo logistics company wholly-owned by Vale.

At the same time, Vale signed agreements to transfer 20% of the total capital of VLI to Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and 15.9% to the Investment Fund of the Fundo de Garantia do Tempo de Servico - FGTS (FI-FGTS), whose assets are managed by the Brazilian bank Caixa Economica Federal.

The transaction

Vale points out that the terms and conditions of a potential agreement to sell a stake to Brookfield are still being discussed between both parties, it is not possible to guarantee that the agreement will be signed or what will be the final terms and conditions.

Vale agreed to sell 20% of the total capital of VLI to Mitsui for BRL 1.509 billion and 15.9% of VLI's capital to FI-FGTS for BRL 1.2 billion. The final transaction values are subject to certain adjustments, in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the investment agreements.

BRL 2 billion from the total value of the transaction will be allocated as a cash contribution to VLI, which will issue new shares that will be subscribed and paid by Mitsui and FI-FGTS. The cash contribution to VLI will be used to finance part of VLI's investment plan. The remaining amount of the transaction, BRL 709 million, will be paid to Vale by Mitsui in exchange for VLI shares held by Vale.

After the agreed upon transaction is concluded, Vale will retain shareholder control of VLI, with 64.1% of its total capital. Vale, Mitsui and FI-FGTS will sign a shareholders agreement, regulating their rights and obligations as VLI shareholders. In the event of a transaction with Brookfield, Vale's stake in VLI may be reduced to less than 40%.

The conclusion of the aforementioned transactions will be subject to approval by relevant authorities, including the Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Economica - CADE, and in the case of Brookfield's transaction also by the Agencia Nacional de Transportes Terrestres - ANTT and the Secretaria de Portos da Presidencia da Republica, and to the usual precedent conditions.

Strategic background

The divestment of stakes in VLI is consistent with Vale's strategy of reducing its exposure to non-core assets, while simultaneously extracting hidden value from its shares and significantly reducing future capital expenditures on these assets. The strategy is a result of our focus on discipline in capital allocation and value maximization for shareholders.

VLI

VLI is a rail-based logistics operator based on a warehouse/railway/port axis that transports general cargo for over 100 clients through an efficient, integrated logistics system that is composed of proprietary as well as third party assets. VLI structured its operations in five corridors which are strategically positioned to serve the main agricultural and industrial regions of Brazil, with a special focus on the Center-Southeast, Center-East and Center-North corridors.

VLI possesses rail concessions and subconcessions (FCA and FNS) of approximately 10,700 km, with a rolling stock of 13,000 rail cars and 600 locomotives and has access to Vale's rail concessions (EFC and EFVM).

VLI operates five integrated ground terminals - and is developing another five - a private maritime terminal in Santos, Sao Paulo, has the operation contract for one berth at Itaqui port in Sao Luis, Maranhao, and has access to Vale's ports and maritime terminals.

Given the excellent opportunities offered by the logistics market in Brazil, VLI is planning investments of BRL 9 billion in the 2013-2017 period, to be financed by the BRL 2 billion cash contribution, operational cash flow and debt.