Vale restarts Salobo copper operations in Brazil after fire

Vale SA restarted the conveyor belt at its Salobo copper mine in Brazil after a fire prompted the company to suspend the mechanism in early October.

The 18-day disruption resulted in a production loss estimated at about 8,000 tonnes of copper, Vale said Oct. 22. The causes of the fire are being investigated.

The company said it restarted the processing plant at Salobo and expects the production of copper concentrates to ramp up by Oct. 25.

Vale set a copper production guidance range of 75,000 to 80,000 tonnes for the fourth quarter, with considerations including the recent stoppage at Salobo. The company expects to produce 295,000 to 300,000 tonnes of copper in 2021.