In Q3 2012, manganese ore production increased 7.6% QoQ basis, reaching 629,000 tonnes versus 584,000 tonnes in 2Q12. The production of Azul was 7.2% QoQ higher than Q2 2012, as a result of greater equipment availability.
Urucum output also had a better performance, rising 6.0% QoQ over Q2 2012, reflecting enhancement of operational controls. Morro da Mina, which is part of other mines, had an output increase of 16.2% QoQ over Q2 2012, recovering partially from the ongoing waste removal efforts.
Ferroalloy quarterly production was comprised of 58,500 tonnes of ferrosilicon manganese alloys (FeSiMn), 52,800 tonnes of high carbon manganese alloys (FeMnHc) and 4,400 tonnes of medium carbon manganese alloys (FeMnMC).
In Q3 2012, ferroalloy production increased 6.2% QoQ against Q2 2012, due to operational improvements in the furnaces of the plants located in Brazil and in Dunkerque, France.
The production of Mo I Rana was slightly higher than Q3 2011 and 12.4% QoQ lower than Q2 2012, mainly due to stoppage for maintenance and electrode disruption.
| Q3 '11 | Q2 '12 | QoQ | Q3 '12 | YoY | |
| Manganese Ore | 681 | 584 | 7.6% | 629 | -7.7% |
| Azul | 535 | 463 | 7.2% | 497 | -7.2% |
| Urucum | 88 | 81 | 6.0% | 86 | -1.6% |
| Other mines | 59 | 39 | 16.2% | 46 | -22.0% |
In '000 tonnes
| YTD '11 | YTD '12 | YoY | |
| Manganese Ore | 1,799 | 1,697 | -5.7% |
| Azul | 1,437 | 1,339 | -6.8% |
| Urucum | 222 | 234 | 5.5% |
| Other mines | 139 | 123 | -11.5% |
In '000 tonnes
| Q3 '11 | Q2 '12 | QoQ | Q3 '12 | YoY | |
| Ferroalloys | 103 | 109 | 6.2% | 116 | 12.9% |
| Brazil | 51 | 46 | 11.8% | 52 | 1.3% |
| Dunkerque | 27 | 35 | 13.7% | 40 | 45.6% |
| Mo I Rana | 24 | 28 | -12.4% | 25 | 0.8% |
In '000 tonnes
| YTD '11 | YTD '12 | YoY | |
| Ferroalloys | 330 | 331 | 0.3% |
| Brazil | 155 | 148 | -4.8% |
| Dunkerque | 101 | 104 | 3.2% |
| Mo I Rana | 74 | 79 | 7.1% |
In '000 tonnes
Source – Vale
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