OREANDA-NEWS. October 18, 2012. Vale informs that it has started production at the Lubambe copper mine, the Konkola North project, an underground mine, plant and related infrastructure, located in the Zambian Copperbelt, with a nominal production capacity of 45,000 metric tons per year of copper in concentrates.

On October 4, 2012, the first copper concentrate was produced, after completing the commissioning of the processing plant. This operation is part of our 50/50 joint venture with African Rainbow Minerals Limited, which has an 80% stake in the operation, with the remaining 20% stake held by Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Ltd.

We expect the operation in the African Copperbelt to add value to our shareholders over the long term, since it enhances our global copper growth platform.