Brazilian mining giant Vale enters 2025 with a combination of operational efficiency, disciplined capital management and continued adaptation to volatile commodity markets. Despite year-on-year declines in iron ore and nickel prices, the company has managed to increase sales volumes in all key segments and keep costs under control. At the same time, the company continues to transform its business through strategic decarbonisation initiatives and portfolio optimisation.

Quarterly data shows that $VALE is not just a passive participant in a cyclical market, but an active player capable of responding flexibly to changes in the environment. While the decline in EBITDA and free cash flow reflects pressure on sales and margins, the decline in unit costs, stable CAPEX and consistent balance sheet control point to a company that has a clearly defined strategy and is moving towards long-term sustainability. The first quarter thus sets an optimistic framework for the year ahead, where price…