A weaker China economy and battered iron ore prices have helped drive down Vale SA’s stock, making investors wary of uncertainties plaguing one of the world’s top suppliers of the steelmaking ingredient.

Vale saw growth in its base metals division as copper production rose by nearly 3% year-on-year to 101,800 tons in the fourth quarter.

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Iron ore production from Brazilian miner Vale fell 4.6% during last year's fourth-quarter compared to the same period a year earlier, settling at 85.3 million metric tons, the company reported on Tuesday. Copyright 2025 Thomson Reuters.

Production rose because of supply chain improvements, with a record amount of iron ore delivered from the Central Pilbara hub.

Vale S.A., one of the world’s largest mining companies, has reported its highest annual iron ore production since 2018. This milestone comes amid fluctuating stock markets and a global shift in investment strategies.

Vale S.A. VALE reported iron ore production of around 85 million tons (Mt) for the fourth quarter of 2024, which was 4.6% lower than the year-ago quarter, reflecting a shift toward higher-margin products.

Brazilian mining company Vale has announced its highest annual iron ore production since 2018, despite a decrease in fourth-quarter (Q4) output due to a strategic focus on higher-margin products. The company's production of the steel-making ingredient reached nearly 328 million tonnes (mt) in 2024,