Vale reports lower pellet production at Sohar in Q3

Vale produced 2.09 mln tons of iron ore pellets at its Oman operations in the third quarter of 2026, down 17pct YoY, according to the company's latest production report. Output increased sharply from 200,000 tons in the second quarter, reflecting a 946pct QoQ rise.

During January-September 2026, pellet production at the Oman plant totalled 4.17 mln tons, down 33pct from 6.24 mln tons in the corresponding period last year.

Globally, Vale's pellet production increased 7pct YoY to 8.55 mln tons in Q3 2026, while pellet sales declined 1pct to 8.72 mln tons. In the first nine months, production rose 4pct YoY to 24.03 mln tons, and sales increased 2pct to 24.17 mln tons.

Located at Sohar Port, Vale's Oman pelletizing plant was commissioned in 2011 with an investment of USD 2 bln and has an annual capacity of 9 mln tons of direct reduction pellets. The complex also includes a stockyard and distribution centre with handling capacity of up to 40 mln tons per year.