In 2Q12 iron ore production was 80.5 million tonnes, reaching a new record for a second quarter.
Output increased 15.1% on a quarterly basis, with across-the-board gains in all systems, Northern, Southeastern, Southern and Midwestern, as well as Samarco. The end of the rainy season helped the recovery.
Production at the Carajás mining site reached 27.4 million tonnes in 2Q12, which was the best performance for a second quarter, 26.0% higher than the previous quarter and 5.2% above 2Q11. The increase reflected better weather conditions in 2Q12. The level of rainfall in the Northern System was 50% less in 2Q12 than in 2Q11.
The Southeastern System, which encompasses the Itabira, Mariana and Minas Centrais mining sites, produced 28.3 million tonnes, 5.7% higher than 1Q12 and 7.3% lower than 2Q11, due to the impoverishment of Itabira and Minas Centrais (Gongo Soco mine) resources.
The Southern System - Minas Itabirito, Vargem Grande and Paraopeba - produced 20.7 million tonnes, the best performance for a second quarter since 2Q08 reflecting operational improvements in crushing at Vargem Grande and screening at Minas Itabirito. The output was 17.4% and 6.4% higher than 1Q12 and 2Q11, respectively. Minas Itabirito produced 8.0 million tonnes in 2Q12, also a new record for a second quarter.
The Midwestern System, Urucum and Corumbá mining sites, produced 1.4 million tonnes in 2Q12. Production rose 4.9% on a quarterover- quarter basis and decreased 3.6% on YoY basis. Corumbá’s output was 6.2% lower than 1Q12 due to scheduled maintenance stoppage. Urucum’s production rose by 38.1%, when compared to 1Q12, reflecting the ramp up process of a new processing plant, which started in February.
| 2Q11 | 1Q12 | 2Q12 | QoQ | YoY | |
| IRON ORE | 80,257 | 69,994 | 80,542 | 15.1% | 0.4% |
| Northern System | 26,019 | 21,711 | 27,362 | 26.0% | 5.2% |
| Caraj�s | 26,019 | 21,711 | 27,362 | 26.0% | 5.2% |
| Southeastern System | 30,528 | 26,759 | 28,296 | 5.7% | -7.3% |
| Itabira | 10,499 | 8,154 | 9,184 | 12.6% | -12.5% |
| Mariana | 9,861 | 9,340 | 9,080 | -2.8% | -7.9% |
| Minas Centrais | 10,168 | 9,265 | 10,032 | 8.3% | -1.3% |
| Southern System | 19,496 | 17,667 | 20,743 | 17.4% | 6.4% |
| Minas Itabirito | 7,691 | 7,345 | 7,993 | 8.8% | 3.9% |
| Vargem Grande | 5,784 | 4,800 | 5,950 | 24.0% | 2.9% |
| Paraopeba | 6,021 | 5,521 | 6,800 | 23.2% | 12.9% |
| Midwestern System | 1,417 | 1,302 | 1,366 | 4.9% | -3.6% |
| Corumb� | 1,028 | 975 | 915 | -6.2% | -11.0% |
| Urucum | 389 | 327 | 451 | 38.1% | 16.0% |
| Samarco� | 2,798 | 2,556 | 2,775 | 8.6% | -0.8% |
In ‘000 tonnes
| 1H11 | 1H12 | YoY | |
| IRON ORE | 151,797 | 150,536 | -0.8% |
| Northern System | 48,670 | 49,073 | 0.8% |
| Caraj�s | 48,670 | 49,073 | 0.8% |
| Southeastern System | 59,222 | 55,054 | -7.0% |
| Itabira | 19,581 | 17,338 | -11.5% |
| Mariana | 19,234 | 18,420 | -4.2% |
| Minas Centrais | 20,407 | 19,297 | -5.4% |
| Southern System | 36,275 | 38,409 | 5.9% |
| Minas Itabirito | 14,868 | 15,338 | 3.2% |
| Vargem Grande | 10,242 | 10,750 | 5.0% |
| Paraopeba | 11,165 | 12,321 | 10.4% |
| Midwestern System | 2,331 | 2,668 | 14.5% |
| Corumb� | 1,637 | 1,890 | 15.5% |
| Urucum | 694 | 778 | 12.1% |
| Samarco� | 5,300 | 5,331 | 0.6% |
In ‘000 tonnes
Source -SRI
(www.coalguru.com)
