Brazil's Iron Ore Production Set to Increase Due to Vale's Strong Performance
Brazil, the world's second-largest iron ore producer, is projected to see a 1.9% increase in its iron ore production in 2025, reaching 437.2 million tonnes. This growth is primarily driven by Vale, the country's largest iron ore producer, which accounted for 76.9% of Brazil's output in 2025. The resumption of operations at the pelletizing Plant No. 4 and the ramp-up of the second concentrator at BHP's Samarco mine have also contributed to this increase. Vale's Capanema mine, which began operations in September 2025, is expected to add 15 million tonnes per annum to the company's 2026 production target. Further expansions, such as the Carajas Serra Sul S11D Project and the Vargem Grande Mining Complex, are anticipated to support continued growth.