It said it should have better communicated to the Australian Aboriginal group whose ancient rockshelters it destroyed of the recent management reshuffle.

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Vale reported 4Q20 output of 84.5 million tonnes, a 5% decline from the third quarter.

The settlement is the biggest in Brazil's history, but does not include criminal actions, unknown damages, and individual rights.

Miner has pledged to pay nearly A$2 million ($1.4 million) in outstanding royalties to an Aboriginal partner, around a year after they were initially due.

Vale ended 2020 with 322 Mt of production capacity and expects to achieve 350 Mt capacity by the end of 2021.

The principal contributors to metal production were gold (38%), copper (27%), iron ore (15%) and zinc (6%).

According to the attorney general, the settlement is the biggest in Brazil's history, but does not include criminal actions.