The Brazilian President criticized Vale for "not having done anything to repair the destruction".

Two iron ore cargoes from the world's No.4 supplier were facing unusual customs delays at north China's Caofeidian port.

TÜV Süd's lawyers have referred responsibility to Vale.

The world's fourth largest iron ore miner shipped 48.7 million tonnes of the steel-making commodity in the quarter ended Dec. 31

So far 77 listed mining companies, including the world's largest BHP and Rio Tinto, have signed up to a tougher code of conduct.

The most-traded May iron ore contract on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) ended daytime trade 1.42% higher.

China kept benchmark lending rates unchanged at its monthly fixing on Monday following the decision to hold its medium-term lending facility rate steady last week.

Political lobbying as much as boardroom maneuvering could determine who wins the race to become the next boss of Vale SA.