Vale reported a 4.8pct YoY decline in iron ore pellet production at its Oman operations in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting maintenance activity and disruptions linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Output at the Sohar plant totalled 1.87 mln tons, down 24.4pct compared with the previous quarter.
Vale said production at the Oman pellet plant was halted in mid-March for planned annual maintenance, while construction at the Sohar concentration plant was also suspended. The company added that developments related to the Middle East conflict have led to logistical disruptions, with operations now expected to resume by the end of the third quarter.
Globally, Vale’s pellet production increased 13.7pct YoY in Q1 2026 to 8.16 mln tons, supported by improved performance at its Tubarao pelletizing plants in Brazil, while pellet sales rose 2.7pct YoY to 7.69 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.