Vale SA is planning to expand its Brazilian iron ore fines blending facilities the ports of Rizhao and Shulanghu in eastern China, and the Beilun and Zhanjiang ports in the south, S&P Global Platts wrote Sept. 22, citing Luiz Meriz, the Brazilian mining giant's executive manager for shipping and iron ore marketing.

The company currently blends the Brazilian Blend fines at the northern Chinese ports of Caofeidian, Dalian and Yantai, and at eastern ports of Qingdao Qianwen, Dongjiakou and Lianyungang.

The company's distribution centers are blending the Brazil Blend to allow quick delivery time, flexible lot sizes and multiple options for transportation, with Meriz saying the port sales give customers the flexibility to take the material "just-in-time" from the quayside.

The company will also allow trading in Chinese yuan terms.

Vale's Brazilian blend normally contains 62.5% iron, 1.8% alumina, 5.2% silica, 0.07% phosphorus, 0.3% manganese, 2.7% loss on ignition and 7.5% moisture.

SNL Metals & Mining and S&P Global Platts are owned by S&P Global Inc.