Report of Foreign Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 (6-k)
31 Janeiro 2023 - 07:13PM
Edgar (US Regulatory)
United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of
January 2023
Vale S.A.
Praia de Botafogo nº 186, 18º andar,
Botafogo
22250-145 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
(Address of principal executive office)
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files
or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)
(Check One)
Form 20-F x Form 40-F ¨
(Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K
in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1))
(Check One)
Yes ¨ No x
(Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K
in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7))
(Check
One) Yes ¨ No
x
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.)
(Check One)
Yes ¨ No x
(If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned
to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b). 82- .)
Vale’s production and sales in 4Q22 and 2022
Rio
de Janeiro, January 31st, 2023
| • | Vale’s Q4 performance was marked by strong iron ore fines and nickel sales,
up 24% and 30% q/q respectively, converting into sales the inventories formed in the previous quarter. |
| • | Iron ore production totaled 308 Mt in 2022, 2% lower y/y, mainly due to (i) licensing
delays at Serra Norte; and (ii) jaspilite waste processing and operational performance at S11D. This was partially offset by (i) continued
production ramp-up at Vargem Grande; (ii) higher dry processing production at Brucutu; and (iii) higher third-party purchase. |
| • | Pellets production totaled 32 Mt in 2022, up 1% y/y, with an improved mix of direct
reduction pellets (49% of total production vs. 41% in 2021), leveraging on the higher-quality feed and taking advantage of better market
premiums. |
| • | Nickel production grew 6% in 2022 to 179 kt, largely due to the stabilization of
Sudbury operations after the labor strike in 2021, as well as consistent and strong performance at Onça Puma. This was partially
offset by lower feed availability owing to PTVI furnace rebuild and the later ramp-up of VBME. |
| • | Copper production decreased 15%, totaling 253 kt in 2022, due to extended maintenance
at Sossego mill during the first half of the year, and additional maintenance required at both Sossego and Salobo. This was partially
offset by higher production in Canada owing to the stabilization of Sudbury mines and the recovery of copper from copper precipitates
in Thompson, reducing waste as part of our approach to circular mining. |
Production summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
% change |
2022
guidance |
2023
guidance |
000’ metric tons |
4Q22 |
3Q22 |
4Q21 |
2022 |
2021 |
4Q22/3Q22 |
4Q22/4Q21 |
2022/2021 |
Iron ore1 |
80,852 |
89,701 |
81,678 |
307,793 |
312,901 |
-9.9% |
-1.0% |
-1.6% |
~310 Mt |
310-320 Mt |
Pellets |
8,261 |
8,256 |
9,073 |
32,111 |
31,708 |
0.1% |
-8.9% |
1.3% |
~33 Mt |
36-40 Mt2 |
Nickel |
47.4 |
51.8 |
48.0 |
179.1 |
168.3 |
-8.5% |
-1.3% |
6.4% |
~180 kt |
160-175 kt |
Copper |
66.3 |
74.3 |
77.5 |
253.1 |
296.8 |
-10.8% |
-14.5% |
-14.7% |
~260 kt |
335-370 kt |
1
Including third-party purchases, run-of-mine and feed for pelletizing plants. Excluding Midwestern System volumes.
2
Iron ore agglomerates guidance, including iron ore pellets and briquettes. |
Sales summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
% change |
000’ metric tons |
4Q22 |
3Q22 |
4Q21 |
2022 |
2021 |
4Q22/3Q22 |
4Q22/4Q21 |
2022/2021 |
Iron ore fines1 |
81,202 |
65,381 |
81,749 |
260,663 |
270,885 |
24.2% |
-0.7% |
-3.8% |
Iron ore pellets |
8,789 |
8,521 |
10,351 |
33,164 |
32,306 |
3.1% |
-15.1% |
2.7% |
Iron ore ROM |
1,963 |
3,668 |
607 |
8,216 |
2,052 |
-46.5% |
223.4% |
300.4% |
Nickel |
58.2 |
44.3 |
44.7 |
180.8 |
181.7 |
31.4% |
30.2% |
-0.5% |
Copper |
71.6 |
70.5 |
73.7 |
243.9 |
284.5 |
1.6% |
-2.8% |
-14.3% |
1
Including third-party purchases. Excluding Midwestern System volumes.
|
Businesses’
highlights in 4Q22
Iron Ore and Pellets operations
| · | Iron ore fines and
pellets sales increased 22% q/q, totaling 90 Mt, boosted
by the drawdown of in-transit inventories formed in Q3. All-in premium totaled US$ 5.4/t1
(vs. US$ 6.6/t in 3Q22), mainly due to lower contractual pellet premiums, after record premiums in Q3. |
|
| · | Northern System
production decrease q/q is largely explained by seasonally higher rainfall level2
and Serra Norte’s performance, impacted by (i) lower ROM availability as a result of slower licensing processes; and (ii) processing
plants’ conveyor belts maintenance in October and November. |
| · | Southeastern System and Southern Systems’ production decreased q/q,
impacted by seasonally higher rainfall level3
in Minas Gerais region. Additionally, Southeastern performance was affected by a planned maintenance carried out in Alegria’s mining
equipment, while Southern System results were impacted by lower third-party purchase. |
| · | Pellet production was flat
q/q, driven by the higher pellet feed availability for Tubarão plants and the resumption of Plant #5, increasing Tubarão
pellet production, which was offset by a maintenance carried out at Plant #7 in Tubarão complex and São Luis plant. |
1
Iron ore premium of US$ 1.6/t and weighted average contribution of pellets of US$ 3.8/t.
2
Rainfall level: 472 mm at Serra Norte in 4Q22 (vs. 31 mm in 3Q22) and 421 mm at S11D in 4Q22 (vs. 36 mm in 3Q22).
3
Rainfall level: 577 mm at Mariana Complex in Southeastern System in 4Q22 (vs. 35 mm in 3Q22) and 716 mm at Vargem Grande Complex in Southern
System 4Q22 (vs.44 mm in 3Q22).
Nickel operations
| · | Nickel sales were 31% higher
q/q and 23% greater than the quarterly production, as
expected, following the inventory buildup in Q3 to meet sales commitments during planned maintenance at Long Harbour and Matsusaka in
Q4. |
|
| · | Finished nickel production from Sudbury-sourced ore decreased 9% q/q,
as mine and mill maintenance activities in Q3 limited finished production in Q4. During Q4, Sudbury mines achieved the highest quarterly
production rates since 2Q19, which is expected to be translated into better finished nickel production in 1H23. |
| · | Finished nickel production from Thompson-sourced ore declined 11% q/q
attributed to scheduled maintenance at the Long Harbour Refinery during the quarter. |
| · | Finished nickel production from Voisey’s Bay-sourced ore was 10%
lower q/q, partially reflecting scheduled maintenance at the Long Harbour Refinery during the quarter, in addition to the production
gap created by the depletion of Ovoid mine and the ramp-up of the Voisey’s Bay underground project. |
| · | Finished nickel production from third parties increased 5% q/q,
which was planned to offset lower production from Voisey’s Bay ore in the quarter. Consumption of third-party feed is expected to
remain higher than in recent years, aiming to maximize the utilization and performance of our downstream operations. |
· |
Finished nickel production from Indonesia-sourced material was 6% lower q/q,
reflecting lower nickel-in-matte production due to furnace corrective maintenance. Nickel in matte production was 16.2 kt in the quarter,
8% lower q/q. |
· |
Nickel production at Onça Puma decreased 25% q/q as
the kiln underwent a planned maintenance, which impacted 18 days in the quarter. |
Copper operations
| · | Copper sales4
were in line q/q,
despite lower production mainly due to the sale of inventories
of Thompson copper precipitate and Voisey’s Bay concentrate, in-line with sales commitments. |
|
| | |
| · | Sossego copper production decreased 18% q/q,
impacted by planned and corrective maintenance work conducted during the quarter, primarily related to crushing activities. |
| · | Salobo copper production decreased 15% q/q, due to planned
and corrective maintenance, impacting plant availability. |
| · | Salobo III project successful started-up in the end of 2022 on time and
on budget. The project will add 30-40 ktpy in additional copper production and it will achieve full capacity in 4Q24. |
| · | Copper production in Canada increased 2% q/q. Sudbury mines
improved performance following scheduled maintenance in 3Q22. This was offset by a decrease in Thompson copper production, reflecting
the winter season stoppage of copper precipitate recovery, and ongoing ramp-up of the underground mine at Voisey’s Bay. |
4 Sales
volumes are lower compared to production volumes due to payable copper vs. contained copper: part of the copper contained in the concentrates
is lost in the smelting and refining process, hence payable quantities of copper are approximately 3.5% lower than contained volumes.
ANNEX
- Production and sales summary
Iron ore
|
|
|
|
|
|
% change |
000’ metric tons |
4Q22 |
3Q22 |
4Q21 |
2022 |
2021 |
4Q22/3Q22 |
4Q22/4Q21 |
2022/2021 |
Northern System |
45,097 |
49,652 |
50,021 |
171,555 |
188,835 |
-9.2% |
-9.8% |
-9.2% |
Serra Norte and Serra Leste |
26,486 |
30,678 |
30,958 |
102,298 |
115,135 |
-13.7% |
-14.4% |
-11.1% |
S11D |
18,611 |
18,974 |
19,062 |
69,257 |
73,699 |
-1.9% |
-2.4% |
-6.0% |
Southeastern System |
18,405 |
19,725 |
18,659 |
72,644 |
69,780 |
-6.7% |
-1.4% |
4.1% |
Itabira (Cauê, Conceição and others) |
7,007 |
7,017 |
7,987 |
27,283 |
28,696 |
-0.1% |
-12.3% |
-4.9% |
Minas Centrais (Brucutu and others) |
5,395 |
5,845 |
4,664 |
20,759 |
19,306 |
-7.7% |
15.7% |
7.5% |
Mariana (Alegria, Timbopeba and others) |
6,003 |
6,864 |
6,008 |
24,602 |
21,778 |
-12.5% |
-0.1% |
13.0% |
Southern System |
17,350 |
20,324 |
12,999 |
63,594 |
54,285 |
-14.6% |
33.5% |
17.1% |
Paraopeba (Mutuca, Fábrica and others) |
8,403 |
10,725 |
4,892 |
30,106 |
22,975 |
-21.7% |
71.8% |
31.0% |
Vargem Grande (Vargem Grande, Pico and others) |
8,947 |
9,599 |
8,106 |
33,488 |
31,310 |
-6.8% |
10.4% |
7.0% |
IRON ORE PRODUCTION1 |
80,852 |
89,701 |
81,678 |
307,793 |
312,901 |
-9.9% |
-1.0% |
-1.6% |
IRON ORE SALES2 |
91,954 |
77,569 |
92,706 |
302,042 |
305,293 |
18.5% |
-0.8% |
-1.1% |
FINES AND PELLETS SALES |
89,991 |
73,902 |
92,099 |
293,827 |
303,241 |
21.8% |
-2.3% |
-3.1% |
FINES SALES3 |
81,202 |
65,381 |
81,749 |
260,663 |
270,935 |
24.2% |
-0.7% |
-3.8% |
PELLETS SALES |
8,789 |
8,521 |
10,351 |
33,164 |
32,306 |
3.1% |
-15.1% |
2.7% |
ROM SALES |
1,963 |
3,668 |
607 |
8,216 |
2,052 |
-46.5% |
223.4% |
300.4% |
1
Including third party purchases, run-of-mine and feed for pelletizing plants. Excluding Midwestern System volumes. Vale’s product
portfolio Fe content reached 62.0%, alumina 1.3% and silica 6.7% in 4Q22.
2
Including sales of iron ore fines, pellets, run-of-mine and third-party purchase.
3
Including third-party purchases. Excluding Midwestern System volumes. |
Pellets
|
|
|
|
|
|
% change |
000’ metric tons |
4Q22 |
3Q22 |
4Q21 |
2022 |
2021 |
4Q22/3Q22 |
4Q22/4Q21 |
2022/2021 |
Northern System |
739 |
899 |
895 |
3,212 |
3,624 |
-17.8% |
-17.4% |
-11.4% |
São Luis |
739 |
899 |
895 |
3,212 |
3,624 |
-17.8% |
-17.4% |
-11.4% |
Southeastern System |
3,616 |
3,284 |
4,807 |
14,677 |
16,736 |
10.1% |
-24.8% |
-12.3% |
Itabrasco (Tubarão 3) |
960 |
525 |
1,089 |
2,725 |
3,389 |
82.9% |
-11.8% |
-19.6% |
Hispanobras (Tubarão 4) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
169 |
- |
- |
-100.0% |
Nibrasco (Tubarão 5 and 6) |
1,131 |
349 |
1,052 |
3,465 |
3,794 |
224.1% |
7.5% |
-8.7% |
Kobrasco (Tubarão 7) |
178 |
924 |
989 |
3,034 |
3,225 |
-80.7% |
-82.0% |
-5.9% |
Tubarão 8 |
1,347 |
1,485 |
1,677 |
5,451 |
6,162 |
-9.3% |
-19.7% |
-11.5% |
Southern System |
1,222 |
1,268 |
745 |
4,305 |
3,179 |
-3.6% |
64.0% |
35.4% |
Fábrica |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Vargem Grande |
1,222 |
1,268 |
745 |
4,305 |
3,179 |
-3.6% |
64.0% |
35.4% |
Oman |
2,684 |
2,805 |
2,625 |
9,919 |
8,169 |
-4.3% |
2.2% |
21.4% |
PELLETS PRODUCTION |
8,261 |
8,256 |
9,073 |
32,111 |
31,708 |
0.1% |
-8.9% |
1.3% |
PELLETS SALES |
8,789 |
8,521 |
10,351 |
33,164 |
32,306 |
3.1% |
-15.1% |
2.7% |
Nickel - Finished production
by source
|
|
|
|
|
|
% change |
000’ metric tons |
4Q22 |
3Q22 |
4Q21 |
2022 |
2021 |
4Q22/3Q22 |
4Q22/4Q21 |
2022/2021 |
Canada |
18.2 |
20.0 |
18.3 |
73.3 |
76.4 |
-9.0% |
-0.5% |
-4.1% |
Sudbury |
11.1 |
12.2 |
8.8 |
39.0 |
32.2 |
-9.0% |
26.1% |
21.1% |
Thompson |
2.4 |
2.7 |
1.2 |
9.9 |
6.0 |
-11.1% |
100.0% |
65.0% |
Voisey's Bay |
4.6 |
5.1 |
8.4 |
24.4 |
38.2 |
-9.8% |
-45.2% |
-36.1% |
Indonesia |
18.0 |
19.2 |
21.7 |
63.9 |
66.7 |
-6.3% |
-17.1% |
-4.2% |
Brazil |
5.1 |
6.8 |
5.4 |
23.6 |
19.1 |
-25.0% |
-5.6% |
23.6% |
Feed from third-parties1 |
6.1 |
5.8 |
2.6 |
18.3 |
6.1 |
5.2% |
134.6% |
200.0% |
NICKEL PRODUCTION |
47.4 |
51.8 |
48.0 |
179.1 |
168.3 |
-8.5% |
-1.3% |
6.4% |
NICKEL SALES |
58.2 |
44.3 |
44.7 |
180.8 |
181.7 |
31.4% |
30.2% |
-0.5% |
1
External feed purchased from third parties and processed into finished nickel in our Canadian operations.
|
Copper - Finished
production by source
|
|
|
|
|
|
% change |
000’ metric tons |
4Q22 |
3Q22 |
4Q21 |
2022 |
2021 |
4Q22/3Q22 |
4Q22/4Q21 |
2022/2021 |
Brazil |
44.9 |
53.4 |
57.7 |
171.0 |
226.4 |
-15.9% |
-22.2% |
-24.5% |
Salobo |
29.6 |
34.7 |
33.8 |
127.8 |
144.6 |
-14.7% |
-12.4% |
-11.6% |
Sossego |
15.3 |
18.7 |
24.0 |
43.2 |
81.8 |
-18.2% |
-36.3% |
-47.2% |
Canada |
21.4 |
20.9 |
19.7 |
82.1 |
70.4 |
2.4% |
8.6% |
16.1% |
Sudbury |
16.1 |
12.3 |
12.9 |
59.2 |
46.2 |
30.9% |
24.8% |
28.1% |
Thompson |
1.2 |
3.6 |
0.2 |
5.3 |
0.4 |
-66.7% |
500.0% |
1,225.0% |
Voisey's Bay |
1.9 |
3.3 |
5.1 |
10.8 |
20.2 |
-42.4% |
-62.7% |
-46.8% |
Feed from third parties |
2.2 |
1.7 |
1.6 |
6.8 |
3.6 |
29.4% |
37.5% |
88.9% |
COPPER PRODUCTION |
66.3 |
74.3 |
77.5 |
253.1 |
296.8 |
-10.8% |
-14.5% |
-14.7% |
COPPER SALES |
71.6 |
70.5 |
73.7 |
243.9 |
284.5 |
1.6% |
-2.8% |
-14.3% |
Copper Sales Brazil |
44.7 |
52.9 |
52.7 |
166.3 |
216.2 |
-15.5% |
-15.2% |
-23.1% |
Copper Sales Canada |
26.9 |
17.6 |
21.0 |
77.5 |
68.3 |
52.8% |
28.1% |
13.5% |
Base Metals by-products
- Finished production
|
|
|
|
|
|
% change |
|
4Q22 |
3Q22 |
4Q21 |
2022 |
2021 |
4Q22/3Q22 |
4Q22/4Q21 |
2022/2021 |
COBALT (000’ metric tons) |
529 |
609 |
603 |
2,434 |
2,521 |
-13.1% |
-12.3% |
-3.5% |
PLATINUM (000’ oz troy) |
25 |
32 |
17 |
102 |
79 |
-21.9% |
47.1% |
29.1% |
PALLADIUM (000’ oz troy) |
33 |
37 |
19 |
127 |
98 |
-10.8% |
73.7% |
29.6% |
GOLD (000’ oz troy)1 |
74 |
84 |
89 |
289 |
364 |
-11.9% |
-16.9% |
-20.6% |
TOTAL BY-PRODUCTS
(000’ metric tons Cu eq.)2 3 |
34 |
41 |
29 |
134 |
137 |
-17.1% |
17.2% |
-2.2% |
1
Includes gold from Copper and Nickel operations.
2
Includes iridium, rhodium, ruthenium and silver.
3
Copper equivalent tons calculated using average market metal prices for each quarter. Market reference prices: for copper, cobalt, gold
and silver: LME spot; for Platinum and Palladium: NYMEX spot; for other PGMs: Johnson Matthey.
|
Further information on Vale can be found at: vale.com
Investor Relations
Vale IR: vale.ri@vale.com
Ivan Fadel: ivan.fadel@vale.com
Luciana Oliveti: luciana.oliveti@vale.com
Mariana Rocha: mariana.rocha@vale.com
Samir Bassil: samir.bassil@vale.com
This press release may include statements about
Vale's current expectations about future events or results (forward-looking statements). Many of those forward-looking statements can
be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "expect,"
"should," "plan," "intend," "estimate" “will” and "potential," among others.
All forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. Vale cannot guarantee that these statements will prove correct.
These risks and uncertainties include, among others, factors related to: (a) the countries where Vale operates, especially Brazil and
Canada; (b) the global economy; (c) the capital markets; (d) the mining and metals prices and their dependence on global industrial production,
which is cyclical by nature; and (e) global competition in the markets in which Vale operates. Vale cautions you that actual results may
differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in this presentation. Vale undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information or future events or for
any other reason. To obtain further information on factors that may lead to results different from those forecast by Vale, please consult
the reports that Vale files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Brazilian Comissão de Valores Mobiliários
(CVM) and, in particular, the factors discussed under “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in Vale’s
annual report on Form 20-F.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
Vale S.A.
(Registrant) |
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Ivan Fadel |
Date: January 31, 2023 |
|
Head of Investor Relations |
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