(Bloomberg) -- Vale SA, the Brazilian mining giant, produced more iron ore than expected in its first quarter on better operational performance at its biggest mine.

The world’s No. 2 iron-ore producer reported output of 70.8 million metric tons in the quarter, compared with the 68.2 million ton average estimate of analysts tracked by Bloomberg. Production surpassed levels seen in the first quarter of 2023, though was lower than last year’s fourth quarter due to seasonal factors.

Vale’s S11D mine, in the north, achieved the highest output for a first quarter since 2020, thanks to initiatives taken during the rainy season, the company said in a Tuesday report.

Iron ore sales saw a 15% increase on an annual basis, though sales lagged production due to supply-chain issues. 

Iron ore prices have declined since the start of the year, briefly sinking below $100 a ton in mid-March and early April due to higher port stockpiles, squeezed steel mill margins and a slow restart of construction activity in China. The metal has rebounded with some banks upgrading outlooks for Chinese growth following better-than-expected economic data on exports and factory activity.

The Rio de Janeiro-based company reiterated its full-year iron ore production guidance of 310 million to 320 million tons made in December. Citi analysts see Vale production trending toward the upper end of the company’s guidance. 

The company, which also produces base metals, said its nickel output fell 4% from a year ago, while copper rose 22%.

Analysts expect Vale to post weaker first-quarter earnings results on lower realized iron ore prices, due to the 30% price decline in the first three months of this year. Vale’s average realized iron-ore prices were $100.7 a ton in the three-month period or 7.3% lower than the same period of 2023, according to its production report. The company reports earnings April 24.

(Updates with additional details starting with the third paragraph.)

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