Vale's first-quarter 2026 production and sales report shows that Vale continued its strong production and sales momentum in the first quarter of 2026. In iron ore, steady production growth was driven by the ongoing ramp-up of new assets, while sales reached their highest first-quarter level since 2018. In copper and nickel, both posted double-digit production growth, with copper production hitting its best Q1 since 2017 and nickel output its best Q1 since 2020.
Nickel production totaled 49,300 tonnes in Q1 2026, up 12% (5,400 tonnes) year-on-year. The increase was supported by the full-quarter operation of the No. 2 furnace at Onça Puma and solid performance at the Voisey's Bay underground mine, which helped the Long Harbour nickel refinery achieve a first-quarter production record.
Written by Cora Ji, jiruyan@mysteel.com
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