BRASILIA: Vale SA, the world’s largest iron-ore producer, is poised to lose market share to Australian rivals Rio Tinto Plc and BHP Billiton Ltd as Brazil imposes stricter environmental rules on new mining projects and labor costs soar.
Brazil’s share of the seaborne iron-ore market may sink to 27 percent by 2016, down from 31 percent now, as the country boosts capacity by 188 million tons, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Australia will probably add about 502 million tons, taking its market share to 50 percent from 41 percent.
Vale, based in Rio de Janeiro, delayed the $8 billion Carajas Serra Sul expansion and at least three other projects in Brazil last year amid environmental permit issues, higher costs and labor shortages. The company also cut its 2015 iron ore output estimate by 10 percent to 469 million metric tons and is weighing asset sales as it focuses on metals production.
“We are becoming less competitive,” Jose Fernando Coura, president of the Brazilian Mining Institute, said by telephone from Brasilia. Getting approval for a new project is “a Cavalry because you need to go through 350,000 institutions,” he said.
BHP, based in Melbourne, said April 18 that fiscal third- quarter iron-ore output surged 14 percent as it expands mines and ports in Australia. London-based Rio Tinto’s production gained 9 percent to 45.6 million tons, while Vale’s dropped 2.2 percent to 70 million after bad weather hurt operations.
Miners are boosting output to meet Chinese demand as the country’s growth stokes demand for steel in automobiles, appliances and construction. Chinese steel production reached a record in March amid the ramp up of new plants.
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