Brazil’s mining regulatory agency had ordered Vale to halt operations at Vargem Grande in 2019 to guarantee the stability of its dams.

Copper prices are likely to rise further after pushing above $8,000 a tonne this month, the head of the company said.

Fire at Vale iron ore terminal could cut shipments by 32m tonnes; China’s imports of Australian copper ore plunged to zero; Kabanga, Tanzania to develop world’s largest nickel deposit

Chapada copper and production in Brazil both exceeded annual guidance.

The Amazon has more than 4,470 illegal mining sites, more than half of them in Brazil.

Vale's coal division posted a loss of $213 million in its most recent quarterly result.