The history of Vale: from Itabira to the world
We were founded on June 1, 1942, in Itabira, Minas Gerais, Brazil, as Companhia Vale do Rio Doce. Over more than eight decades, we've evolved, simplified our name to Vale and built a history marked by transformations.
Throughout our journey, we have grown into a global mining company with operations in 18 countries. At every step, we share a passion for our business, tackle challenges, and learn something new every day.
We have come a long way since the first ore was mined in Itabira. Since then, we have expanded our operations to include integrated logistics—encompassing mines, railroads, ships, and ports—as well as the energy sector.
Today, we are one of the world’s largest mining companies and a global leader in iron ore production.
Our history is built every day
This story is closely tied to the development of mining in Brazil, to our relationship with the communities where we operate, and to Vale’s expansion into the international market.
This journey also reflects an ongoing process of transformation and learning, guided by the pursuit of a more prosperous, technological, and sustainable future.
We learn from the past to build, together, a better tomorrow.
Vale in numbers
Our purpose
We exist to improve life and transform the future. Together.
Photo: Ricardo Teles
Our commitment
We work every day to become a benchmark in building safer and more sustainable mining, putting life and safety first above all else.
Photo: Luiz Braga
Frequently Asked Questions
The Carajás Mineral Province was discovered on July 31, 1967. During an expedition in southeastern Pará, geologist Breno Augusto dos Santos, an employee of Meridional (at the time a subsidiary of U.S. Steel), made a landing to refuel the helicopter. While examining the rock formations at the site, he identified iron ore of extremely high grade.
It was later confirmed that the area harbored one of the world’s largest mineral reserves, with vast deposits of iron, as well as copper, nickel, manganese, and gold. Systematic mining operations were launched in the 1970s by the then-Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD).
Vale is a global leader in iron ore production. The company also produces high-quality pellets and iron ore briquettes—an innovative product with lower carbon emissions.
It is also active in copper and nickel production and includes cobalt, platinum group metals (PGMs), as well as gold and silver, in its portfolio of metals for the energy transition.
In addition to mining, the company operates in logistics (railways, ships, and integrated ports) and energy, ensuring the efficiency and sustainability of its operations.
Vale has been investing in its own logistics since its founding in 1942. Established as a state-owned enterprise, it inherited the Vitória-Minas Railway, laying the foundation for its logistics system to transport iron ore from Minas Gerais to Espírito Santo.
The consolidation of the integrated mine-railway-port model took place in the following decades, especially under the leadership of Eliezer Batista, who served as the company’s president during different periods (1961–1964 and 1979–1986). During his tenure, an export-oriented logistics strategy was developed, notably featuring the development of the Port of Tubarão and the consolidation of the Carajás Project.
Vale is a global mining company with operations in 17 countries. In addition to its operations in Brazil, the company has operations, offices, ports, and strategic joint ventures in locations such as Arábia Saudita, Austrália, Canadá, Chile, China, Emirados Árabes Unidos, Estados Unidos, Índia, Indonésia, Malásia, Omã, Países Baixos, Peru, Reino Unido, Singapura, Suíça e Japão, serving customers worldwide.
Vale’s international operations began in the early decades of its history, with the export of iron ore starting in the 1940's to markets such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
However, internationalization as a structured strategy - involving acquisitions, production operations abroad, and a direct industrial presence in other countries - intensified after privatization in 1997, when the company adopted a consistent plan for global expansion and mineral diversification.
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