Profile: Vale S.A. (VALE5.SA)

Vale S.A., formerly Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, is a metals and mining company. The Company is also a producer of iron ore and iron ore pellets. It also produces manganese ore, ferroalloys and kaolin. It also produces bauxite, alumina, aluminum, copper, coal, cobalt, precious metals, potash and other products. The Company operates logistics systems in Brazil, including railroads, maritime terminals and a port, which are integrated with its mining operations. Directly and through affiliates and joint ventures, it has investments in the energy and steel businesses. Its principal nickel mines and processing operations are conducted by its wholly owned subsidiary Vale Inco Limited (Vale Inco), which has mining operations in Canada and Indonesia. It owns and operates, or has interests in, nickel refining facilities in the United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and China. In March 2009, the Company sold its stake in Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA.