Brazil miner Vale says to offer convertible notes

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 6 (Reuters) - Brazilian miner Vale said on Monday it plans to offer notes that will mature in 2012 and mandatorily be converted to American depository shares to be used for general corporate purposes.

The company said the ADS will represent up to an aggregate of some 18.5 million common shares and 47.3 preferred class A shares of Vale.

The operation would bring in some $2 billion reais ($1.0 billion) based on Monday's stock price.

(Reporting by Brian Ellsworth; Editing by Richard Chang)