OREANDA-NEWS. Vale S.A. (Vale) reached 85.7 Mt of iron ore production, ex-Samarco´s attributable production, the highest output in Vale's history, with gains in all production Systems when compared to 2Q14. The good operational performance was supported by the ramp-ups of Plant 2 in Carajás and of Conceição Itabiritos in the Southeastern System.

In the first nine months of the year, Vale produced 236.2 Mt, which is also a new production record, against 232.2 Mt in 9M08. Over the last twelve-month period ended on September 30, 2014 our iron ore output - ex-Samarco's attributable production - reached 317.5 Mt.

Carajás production reached its all time high at 32.2 Mt, 9.8% and 7.9% higher than in 2Q14 and 3Q13, respectively.

Excluding Samarco's attributable production of 3.3 Mt, Vale's pellet production reached 11.4 Mt in 3Q14, 15.0% higher than in the 2Q14 and 17.6% above the same period of last year, reflecting the ramp-ups of the Tubarão VIII and Oman pellet plants.

Tubarão VIII and Oman output reached 1.0 Mt and 2.3 Mt, respectively, in 3Q14.

Production of nickel was 72,100 t in 3Q14, 16.9% higher than in 2Q14, the best performance for a third quarter since 3Q08 despite planned maintenance at Thompson in 3Q14.

VNC is continuing its ramp-up, operating with 2 HPALs as of the beginning of September.

In 3Q14, copper output was 104,800 t, 29.3% and 10.8% higher than in 2Q14 and in 3Q13, respectively, reaching a historical production record.

Salobo copper production totaled 25,900 t in 3Q14, a new record for that operation driven by the ramp up of Salobo II.

Total coal output in 3Q14 reached 2.3 Mt, 5.9% higher than in 2Q14, mostly due to the stronger performance of Carborough Downs (CD), Moatize and Isaac Plains.

In 3Q14, Moatize produced 1.296 Mt of which 0.828 Mt of met coal and 0.468 Mt of thermal coal. Met and thermal coal output increased by 16.1% and 2.4%, respectively, when compared to 2Q14. As we have anticipated the coal mix improved during the 3Q14 with the opening of new mine faces.

Total production of phosphate rock reached 2.2 Mt, a record output for a third quarter, representing a production increase of 1.7% and 2.6% when compared to 2Q14 and 3Q13, respectively.