Table of Contents

 

 

 

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of

February 2016

 

Vale S.A.

 

Avenida das Américas, 700 – Bloco 8 – Loja 318

Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ.

(Address of principal executive office)

 

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)

 

(Check One) Form 20-F x Form 40-F o

 

(Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1))

 

(Check One) Yes o No x

 

(Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7))

 

(Check One) Yes o No x

 

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)

 

(Check One) Yes o No x

 

(If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b). 82-   .)

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Table of Contents:

 

Press Release

 

Signature Page

 

 

2



Table of Contents

 

 

VALE’S PERFORMANCE IN 2015

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

www.vale.com

rio@vale.com

Tel.: (55 21) 3814-4540

 

Investor Relations Department

 

Rogério T. Nogueira

André Figueiredo

Carla Albano Miller

Fernando Mascarenhas

Andrea Gutman

Bruno Siqueira

Claudia Rodrigues

Mariano Szachtman

Renata Capanema

 

BM&F BOVESPA: VALE3, VALE5

NYSE: VALE, VALE.P

HKEx: 6210, 6230

EURONEXT PARIS: VALE3, VALE5

LATIBEX: XVALO, XVALP

 

Except where otherwise indicated the operational and financial information in this release is based on the consolidated figures in accordance with IFRS and, with the exception of information on investments and behavior of markets, quarterly financial statements are reviewed by the company’s independent auditors. The main subsidiaries that are consolidated are the following: Compañia Minera Miski Mayo S.A.C., Mineração Corumbaense Reunida S.A., PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (formerly International Nickel Indonesia Tbk), Salobo Metais S.A, Vale Australia Pty Ltd., Vale International Holdings GMBH, Vale Canada Limited (formely Vale Inco Limited), Vale Fertilizantes S.A., Vale International S.A., Vale Manganês S.A., Vale Moçambique S.A., Vale Nouvelle-Calédonie SAS, Vale Oman Pelletizing Company LLC and Vale Shipping Holding PTE Ltd.

 



Table of Contents

 

Vale’s performance in 2015

 

Rio de Janeiro, February 25, 2016 — Vale S.A. (Vale) delivered a sound operational performance, achieving several annual production records in 2015, such as: (i) iron ore annual supply of 345.9 Mt; (ii) Carajás production of 129.6 Mt; and (iii) nickel production of 291,000 t; (iv) copper production of 423,800 t.

 

Gross revenues totaled US$ 26.047 billion in 2015, decreasing US$ 12.189 billion vs. 2014 as a result of lower prices of iron ore fines (US$ 8.614 billion), pellets (US$ 2.030 billion), nickel (US$ 1.394 billion) and others, partly offset by higher sales volumes (US$ 2.060 billion).

 

Quarterly gross revenues totaled US$ 5.986 billion in 4Q15, decreasing US$ 632 million vs. 3Q15, as a result of lower prices of iron ore fines (US$ 739 million), nickel (US$ 112 million) and others, partly offset by higher sales volumes (US$ 325 million).

 

Costs and expenses, net of depreciation charges, totaled US$ 18.846 billion in 2015, decreasing US$ 5.908 billion vs. 2014. Costs decreased US$ 4.223 billion (20%), SG&A and other expenses decreased US$ 1.260 billion (65%), R&D decreased US$ 257 million (35%) and pre-operating and stoppage expenses decreased US$ 168 million (19%) in 2015 vs. 2014.

 

Quarterly costs and expenses, net of depreciation charges, totaled US$ 4.595 billion in 4Q15, practically in line with the US$ 4.649 billion recorded in 3Q15. Costs increased US$ 65 million (2%), mainly due to the sales volume increase in the Ferrous Minerals and the Base Metals business segments. SG&A and other expenses decreased US$ 105 million (63%), mainly due to the positive one-off effect of the adjustment in Asset Retirement Obligations(1) (ARO) recorded in 4Q15. R&D decreased US$ 2 million (2%) and pre-operating and stoppage expenses decreased US$ 12 million (7%) in 4Q15 vs. 3Q15.

 

C1 cash cost FOB port per metric ton for iron ore fines ex-royalties reached the lowest mark in the iron ore industry at US$ 11.9/t in 4Q15 vs. US$ 12.7/t in 3Q15.  The reduction in C1 cash cost was mainly driven by the BRL depreciation and by the ongoing cost reduction initiatives.

 

Adjusted EBITDA was US$ 7.081 billion in 2015, 47% lower than in 2014 mainly as a result of lower sales prices which impacted EBITDA negatively by US$ 14.005 billion. Higher sales volumes and lower costs and expenses partly offset the EBITDA impact of lower prices by US$ 1.237 billion and US$ 6.746 billion, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 27.7% in 2015.

 


(1)  Provision for mine and other assets closures

 

3



Table of Contents

 

Quarterly adjusted EBITDA was US$ 1.391 billion in 4Q15, 26% lower than in 3Q15 mainly as a result of lower sales prices which impacted EBITDA negatively by US$ 943 million. Higher sales volumes and lower costs(2) and expenses partly offset the EBITDA impact of lower prices by US$ 57 million and US$ 334 million, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 23.6% in 4Q15.

 

Quarterly adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by the above-mentioned effect of the adjustment in ARO (US$ 331 million) and negatively impacted by decisions and/or events from previous quarters, with effects in 4Q15, such as: (i) bunker oil hedge accounting program for iron fines (US$ 134 million); (ii) provisional copper price adjustments (US$ 60 million); (iii) provisional manganese ore price adjustments (US$ 28 million); and (iv) the write-off of materials inventories in Base Metals (US$ 31 million).

 

Capital expenditures totaled US$ 2.193 billion in 4Q15 and US$ 8.401 billion in 2015, decreasing US$ 3.578 billion vs. 2014. Investments in project execution totaled US$ 1.366 billion and US$ 5.548 billion in 4Q15 and in 2015, respectively. Sustaining capex totaled US$ 827 million and US$ 2.853 billion in 4Q15 and in 2015, respectively. Total annual capex exceeded the previous guidance by US$ 0.2 billion as a result of a better than expected execution of the S11D project and its associated logistics.

 

Asset sales totaled US$ 3.525 billion in 2015, with US$ 1.316 billion coming from the sale of 12 very large ore carriers to Chinese shipowners, US$ 1.089 billion coming from the sale of 36.4% of MBR preferred shares, US$ 900 million from another goldstream transaction and US$ 97 million from the sale of energy assets. In 4Q15, Vale sold four very large ore carriers of 400,000 tons deadweight to ICBC Financial Leasing. The transaction totaled US$ 423 million.

 

Net loss totaled US$ 12.129 billion in 2015 vs. a net income of US$ 657 million in 2014. The US$ 12.786 billion decrease in income was mostly driven by higher impairment charges recorded in 2015 vs. 2014 and the effect on financial results of the 47% end to end depreciation of the BRL against the USD in 2015. Underlying earnings were negative US$ 1.698 billion in 2015, against positive US$ 4.419 billion in 2014.

 

Impairments on assets and on investments(3) and the recognition of onerous contracts totaled US$ 9.372 billion in 2015.  The increase of US$ 8.189 billion vs. 2014 was mainly due to the significant reduction in the price assumptions used for the impairment tests.

 

Quarterly net loss totaled US$ 8.569 billion in 4Q15 compared to a net loss of US$ 2.117 billion in 3Q15. The US$ 6.452 billion decrease was mostly driven by impairments, which

 


(2)  Net effect on costs after adjusting for higher volumes.

(3)  Of associates and joint ventures.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

were partly offset mainly by the effect on financial results of monetary and foreign exchange variation gains. Underlying earnings were negative US$ 1.032 billion in 4Q15, against negative US$ 961 million in 3Q15.

 

Gross debt totaled US$ 28.853 billion as of December 31, 2015, slightly higher than the US$ 28.675 billion as of September 30, 2015, but in line with the US$ 28.807 billion registered as of December 31, 2014. After the dividends payment of US$ 1.5 billion in 2015, net debt totaled US$ 25.234 billion vs. US$ 24.685 billion as of December 31, 2014 and US$ 24.213 billion as of September 30, 2015, with a cash balance of US$ 3.619 billion. Average debt maturity was 8.1 years with an average cost of debt of 4.47% per annum.

 

EBITDA from the Ferrous Minerals business segment decreased 15% in 4Q15 driven by lower realized prices despite higher volumes and reductions in costs and expenses

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA of the Ferrous Minerals business segment was US$ 5.899 billion in 2015, 47.9% lower than in 2014, mainly as result of lower sales prices (-US$ 11.414 billion), which were partially offset by real competitiveness gains of US$ 3.477 billion such as: (i) marketing and commercial initiatives (US$ 680 million); (ii) higher sales volumes (US$ 1.599 billion); (iii) favorable renegotiations of chartering freight contracts (US$ 300 million); and (iv) the ongoing cost reduction initiatives (US$ 898 million).

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA for Ferrous Minerals in 4Q15 was US$ 1.409 billion, US$ 243 million lower than the US$ 1.652 billion achieved in 3Q15, mainly as a result of lower realized sales prices (US$ 782 million), which were partially offset by higher sales volumes (US$ 62 million), lower expenses(4) (US$ 245 million) and lower costs(5) (US$ 188 million).

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA will no longer be impacted by Vale’s hedge accounting program since all outstanding bunker oil exposure recorded under this program was settled in 4Q15. Vale’s hedge accounting program for iron ore fines had a negative impact of US$ 134 million in 4Q15 and US$ 412 million in 2015.

 

·                  Cash flow, measured as adjusted EBITDA(6) less sustaining and growth capex, was US$ 363 million in 4Q15.

 

·                  CFR dmt reference price for iron ore fines (ex-ROM) decreased US$ 10.9/t from US$ 56.0/t in 3Q15 to US$ 45.1/t in 4Q15 whereas CFR/FOB wmt price for iron ore fines

 


(4)      The reduction in expenses is mainly driven by the positive one-off effect of the adjustment in Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO).

(5)      Net effect on costs, after adjusting for volume.

(6)      Excluding the positive one off effect of the Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO).

 

5



Table of Contents

 

(ex-ROM) decreased US$ 9.3/t from US$ 46.5/t per metric ton in 3Q15 to US$ 37.2/t in 4Q15 after adjusting for moisture and the effect of the lower FOB sales prices on 32% of the total sales volumes.

 

·                  Product quality measured by Fe content improved from 63.5% in 3Q15 to 63.7% in 4Q15 mostly due to the ramp-up of the N4WS and N5S mines and of the Itabirites projects.

 

·                  Unit freight cost per iron ore metric ton, excluding the impact of hedge accounting, was US$ 14.1/t in 4Q15, US$ 2.3/t lower than the US$ 16.4/t recorded in 3Q15.

 

·                  Unit cash costs and expenses for iron ore fines landed in China (and adjusted for quality and moisture and excluding the positive one-off effect of the ARO adjustment) decreased from US$ 34.2/t in 3Q15 to US$ 32.0/t in 4Q15 on a dry metric ton (dmt) basis.

 

·                  Sustaining capex for iron ore fines totaled US$ 178 million (US$ 2.3/ wmt) in 4Q15, US$ 0.8/ wmt lower than in 3Q15.

 

·                  Physical progress reached 80% at the S11D mine and plant, 57% at the railway and port, and 81% on the railway spur.

 

EBITDA from the Base Metals business segment decreased with lower nickel and copper prices

 

·                  Sales revenues totaled US$ 1.458 billion in 4Q15, US$ 103 million higher than in 3Q15 mainly due to higher volumes that were partially offset by lower LME nickel and copper prices.

 

·                  Realized prices were negatively impacted by US$ 60 million in provisional copper price adjustments.

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA was US$ 111 million in 4Q15, US$ 82 million lower than in 3Q15, mainly as a result of: (i) lower prices (US$ 158 million), including the above- mentioned negative impact in provisional copper price adjustments; and (ii) the negative impact of the write-off of materials inventories in 4Q15 (US$ 31 million).

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA was impacted by VNC’s negative EBITDA of US$ 107 million in 4Q15.

 

·                  Salobo´s EBITDA remained in line with 3Q15´s EBITDA at US$ 75 million despite weaker copper prices as production reached a quarterly record of 42,000 t in 4Q15.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

·                  Salobo is expected to reach its full production capacity in 2H16 as rain decreases and higher grade mine faces are accessed.

 

EBITDA from the Coal business segment decreased as a result of one-off effects on costs and lower prices

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA was negative US$ 149 million in 4Q15, compared to negative US$ 129 million in 3Q15, mainly driven by lower prices and higher costs in Australia.

 

·                  Costs in Mozambique in 4Q15 were in line with 3Q15, after adjusting for the effects of higher volumes whereas costs in Australia increased in 4Q15 due to the write-down of mine development expenses.

 

·                  Moatize II reached 99% physical progress with a capital expenditure of US$ 196 million while the Nacala Logistics Corridor (NLC) reached 97% physical progress with capital expenditures of US$ 259 million in 4Q15.

 

EBITDA from the Fertilizers business segment improved in 2015 mainly driven by lower costs and expenses

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA for the Fertilizer business segment increased to US$ 567 million in 2015 from US$ 278 million in 2014 with an increase of US$ 289 million mainly driven by exchange rates and commercial and cost savings initiatives.

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA for the Fertilizer business segment decreased to US$ 117 million in 4Q15 from US$ 197 million in 3Q15, mainly driven by lower sales volumes (US$ 86 million) as a result of the usual market seasonality.

 

In 2015 we successfully reduced our costs and expenses, progressed with the implementation of our critical projects and advanced with our divestment process while maintaining our gross debt position.

 

Despite all our efforts, our accomplishments in 2015 were overshadowed by Samarco’s tailings dam failure in the beginning of November. We have been working diligently with Samarco since the beginning and will remain fully committed to supporting the people and the environment of the affected regions.

 

We acknowledge the additional challenges brought by the declining commodity prices and the consequent impact on our cash flow generation. Nonetheless we remain confident in our ability to move through these more difficult times, by maintaining operating discipline and the courage to implement the required strategic actions.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

Selected financial indicators

 

US$ million

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

2013 

 

2012 

 

2011 

 

Gross operating revenues

 

26,047

 

38,236

 

47,486

 

48,753

 

62,345

 

Net operating revenues

 

25,609

 

37,539

 

46,767

 

47,694

 

60,946

 

Adjusted EBIT

 

2,734

 

8,497

 

17,576

 

14,430

 

28,748

 

Adjusted EBIT margin (%)

 

10.7

 

22.6

 

37.6

 

30.3

 

47.2

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

7,081

 

13,353

 

22,560

 

19,178

 

33,730

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin (%)

 

27.7

 

35.6

 

48.2

 

40.2

 

55.3

 

Net income (loss)

 

(12,129

)

657

 

585

 

5,197

 

22,652

 

Underlying earnings

 

(1,698

)

4,419

 

12,269

 

10,365

 

23,015

 

Underlying earnings per share on a fully diluted basis (US$ / share)

 

(0.33

)

0.86

 

2.38

 

2.03

 

4.39

 

Total gross debt

 

28,853

 

28,807

 

29,655

 

30,546

 

23,143

 

Cash and cash equivalent

 

3,619

 

4,122

 

5,324

 

6,078

 

3,531

 

Total Net Debt

 

25,234

 

24,685

 

24,331

 

24,468

 

19,612

 

Total gross debt/ adjusted EBITDA (x)

 

4.1

 

2.2

 

1.3

 

1.6

 

0.7

 

Capital expenditures

 

8,401

 

11,979

 

14,233

 

16,196

 

16,252

 

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

Gross operating revenues

 

5,986

 

6,618

 

9,226

 

Net operating revenues

 

5,899

 

6,505

 

9,072

 

Adjusted EBIT

 

320

 

834

 

856

 

Adjusted EBIT margin (%)

 

5.4

 

12.8

 

9.4

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

1,391

 

1,875

 

2,187

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin (%)

 

23.6

 

28.8

 

24.1

 

Net income (loss)

 

(8,569

)

(2,117

)

(1,849

)

Underlying earnings

 

(1,032

)

(961

)

(251

)

Underlying earnings per share on a fully diluted basis (US$ / share)

 

(0.20

)

(0.19

)

(0.05

)

Capital expenditures

 

2,193

 

1,879

 

3,747

 

 

8



Table of Contents

 

Operating revenues

 

Gross operating revenues in 2015 were US$ 26.047 billion, 31.8% lower than the US$ 38.236 billion registered in 2014. The decrease in sales revenues was mainly due to lower realized prices of iron ore fines (US$ 8.614 billion), pellets (US$ 2.030 billion) and nickel (U$ 1.394 billion) which were partially offset by higher volumes of iron ore and pellets (US$ 1.869 billion) and base metals (US$ 666 million).

 

Gross operating revenues in 4Q15 were US$ 5.986 billion, 9.5% lower than in 3Q15. The decrease in sales revenues was mainly due to lower realized prices (US$ 956 million), partly offset by higher sales volumes (US$ 325 million).

 

The tables below show gross operating revenues by destination and by business segments, with the following highlights:

 

·                  Revenues by destination in 2015 were in line with 2014, with sales to Asia representing 51.3% of total gross revenues in 2015.

 

·                  Contribution by business segment was marked by: (i) the increase in the Base Metals and the Fertilizers business segment share in Vale’s total gross revenues to 23.7% and 9.2% in 2015 from 20.1% and 6.8% in 2014, respectively; and (ii) the decrease in the Ferrous Minerals business segment share to 64.6% in 2015 from 68.4% in 2014.

 

Gross operating revenue by destination

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

%

 

2014 

 

%

 

North America

 

450

 

409

 

642

 

2,008

 

7.7

 

2,771

 

7.2

 

USA

 

168

 

188

 

278

 

855

 

3.3

 

1,368

 

3.6

 

Canada

 

279

 

206

 

361

 

1,123

 

4.3

 

1,393

 

3.6

 

Mexico

 

3

 

15

 

3

 

31

 

0.1

 

10

 

 

South America

 

964

 

1,289

 

1,769

 

4,807

 

18.5

 

7,308

 

19.1

 

Brazil

 

871

 

1,191

 

1,645

 

4,396

 

16.9

 

6,624

 

17.3

 

Others

 

93

 

98

 

124

 

411

 

1.6

 

684

 

1.8

 

Asia

 

3,189

 

3,550

 

4,798

 

13,371

 

51.3

 

19,590

 

51.2

 

China

 

2,180

 

2,556

 

3,091

 

9,096

 

34.9

 

12,657

 

33.1

 

Japan

 

460

 

498

 

848

 

1,959

 

7.5

 

3,627

 

9.5

 

South Korea

 

186

 

171

 

300

 

790

 

3.0

 

1,555

 

4.1

 

Others

 

363

 

325

 

559

 

1,526

 

5.9

 

1,751

 

4.6

 

Europe

 

1,144

 

1,114

 

1,556

 

4,663

 

17.9

 

6,697

 

17.5

 

Germany

 

355

 

332

 

442

 

1,437

 

5.5

 

2,111

 

5.5

 

Italy

 

111

 

104

 

130

 

461

 

1.8

 

849

 

2.2

 

Others

 

678

 

678

 

985

 

2,765

 

10.6

 

3,737

 

9.8

 

Middle East

 

170

 

227

 

288

 

969

 

3.7

 

1,266

 

3.3

 

Rest of the World

 

69

 

29

 

173

 

230

 

0.9

 

605

 

1.6

 

Total

 

5,986

 

6,618

 

9,226

 

26,047

 

100.0

 

38,236

 

100.0

 

 

9



Table of Contents

 

Gross operating revenue by business segments

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

%

 

2014 

 

%

 

Ferrous minerals

 

3,883

 

4,367

 

6,213

 

16,821

 

64.6

 

26,140

 

68.4

 

Iron ore fines

 

2,956

 

3,290

 

4,593

 

12,382

 

47.5

 

19,439

 

50.8

 

ROM

 

14

 

27

 

42

 

111

 

0.4

 

233

 

0.6

 

Pellets

 

806

 

908

 

1,308

 

3,717

 

14.3

 

5,424

 

14.2

 

Manganese ore

 

4

 

24

 

92

 

101

 

0.4

 

226

 

0.6

 

Ferroalloys

 

10

 

3

 

51

 

82

 

0.3

 

218

 

0.6

 

Others

 

93

 

115

 

127

 

428

 

1.6

 

600

 

1.6

 

Coal

 

108

 

127

 

201

 

526

 

2.0

 

739

 

1.9

 

Metallurgical coal

 

98

 

115

 

181

 

480

 

1.8

 

661

 

1.7

 

Thermal coal

 

10

 

12

 

20

 

47

 

0.2

 

78

 

0.2

 

Base metals

 

1,458

 

1,355

 

1,948

 

6,171

 

23.7

 

7,694

 

20.1

 

Nickel

 

782

 

785

 

1,064

 

3,412

 

13.1

 

4,468

 

11.7

 

Copper

 

413

 

368

 

556

 

1,728

 

6.6

 

2,122

 

5.5

 

PGMs

 

96

 

59

 

152

 

404

 

1.6

 

564

 

1.5

 

Gold

 

122

 

115

 

115

 

477

 

1.8

 

418

 

1.1

 

Silver

 

8

 

7

 

11

 

31

 

0.1

 

37

 

0.1

 

Others

 

37

 

22

 

50

 

119

 

0.5

 

85

 

0.2

 

Fertilizer nutrients

 

513

 

747

 

607

 

2,386

 

9.2

 

2,585

 

6.8

 

Potash

 

33

 

47

 

45

 

147

 

0.6

 

169

 

0.4

 

Phosphates

 

387

 

588

 

432

 

1,818

 

7.0

 

1,904

 

5.0

 

Nitrogen

 

76

 

92

 

108

 

355

 

1.4

 

411

 

1.1

 

Others

 

17

 

20

 

22

 

66

 

0.3

 

101

 

0.3

 

Others

 

24

 

22

 

257

 

143

 

0.5

 

1,078

 

2.8

 

Total

 

5,986

 

6,618

 

9,226

 

26,047

 

100.0

 

38,236

 

100.0

 

 

10



Table of Contents

 

Costs and expenses

 

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE

 

Costs and expenses decreased to US$ 22.875 billion in 2015 from the US$ 29.042 billion recorded in 2014,  due to: (i) the impact of exchange rate variations in COGS and SG&A (US$ 4.9 billion), (ii) cost savings initiatives (US$ 1.8 billion), (iii) positive one-off effects from gains on the goldstream transaction recorded in 1Q15 (US$ 0.2 billion) and from the adjustment in the Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO)(7)  recorded in 4Q15 (US$ 0.3 billion); and (iv) the reduction in expenses excluding the above mentioned positive one-off effects (US$ 0.7 billion). These reductions were partly offset by higher sales volumes (US$ 1.0 billion) and by the negative impact of the bunker oil hedge accounting program for iron ore fines (US$ 0.4 billion).

 

Costs will no longer be impacted by Vale’s hedge accounting program since all outstanding bunker oil exposure recorded under this program was settled in 4Q15. After deducting the above-mentioned positive one-off effects and the negative impact of the bunker oil hedge accounting program for iron ore fines, costs and expenses decreased US$ 6.0 billion, a reduction of 20.7%.

 

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE

 

Costs and expenses decreased to US$ 5.579 billion in 4Q15 from the US$ 5.671 billion recorded in 3Q15, mainly due to the positive one-off effect from the adjustment in ARO (US$ 331 million) and exchange rate variations in COGS & SG&A (US$ 210 million), which were partly offset by higher sales volumes (US$ 282 million) and by an increase in Other Operating Expenses (US$ 154 million).

 

Costs and expenses

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Costs

 

5,119

 

5,040

 

6,892

 

20,513

 

25,064

 

Expenses

 

460

 

631

 

1,324

 

2,362

 

3,978

 

Total costs and expenses

 

5,579

 

5,671

 

8,216

 

22,875

 

29,042

 

Depreciation

 

984

 

1,022

 

1,242

 

4,029

 

4,288

 

Costs and expenses ex-depreciation

 

4,595

 

4,649

 

6,974

 

18,846

 

24,754

 

 


(7)         The annual revision for the provisions for mine and other assets closures generated a positive impact as a result of the life extension of some mines and a revision on the scope of the work needed for closing the assets.

 

11



Table of Contents

 

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

 

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE

 

COGS(8) totaled US$ 20.513 billion in 2015, reducing US$ 4.6 billion in comparison with the US$ 25.064 billion recorded in 2014, despite the increase in sales volumes in iron ore fines, pellets and base metals in 2015. Ferrous Minerals costs decreased by US$ 3.041 billion, Fertilizers costs decreased by US$ 510 million, Base Metals costs decreased by US$ 318 million and Coal costs decreased by US$ 214  million in 2015 vs. 2014.

 

After adjusting for the effects of higher sales volumes, costs decreased by US$ 5.5 billion in 2015 vs. 2014.  The cost reductions were mostly driven by exchange rate variations (US$ 4.2 billion) and by the positive results of cost reduction initiatives (US$ 1.8 billion), especially in the Ferrous Minerals business segment, as a result of by reductions in iron ore fines and pellets freight, the ramp-ups of the N4WS and N5S mines, and the Vargem Grande and both the Conceição I and II Itabirites projects.

 

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE

 

COGS(9) totaled US$ 5.119 billion in 4Q15, increasing US$ 79 million in comparison with the US$ 5.040 billion recorded in 3Q15, mainly due to the increase in sales volumes of iron ore fines and base metals in 4Q15.

 

After adjusting for the effects of higher sales volumes, costs decreased by US$ 203 million in 4Q15 vs. 3Q15.  The cost reductions were mainly driven by exchange rate variations (US$ 186 million) and by the positive results of cost reduction initiatives in iron ore fines (US$ 153 million), which were partly offset by a net increase in costs in other business segments.

 

Further details on cost performance are provided in the “Performance of the Business Segments” section.

 

COGS by business

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

%

 

2014 

 

%

 

Ferrous minerals

 

2,846

 

2,813

 

4,278

 

11,759

 

57.3

 

14,800

 

59.0

 

Base metals

 

1,551

 

1,406

 

1,718

 

5,863

 

28.6

 

6,181

 

24.7

 

Coal

 

296

 

239

 

285

 

977

 

4.8

 

1,191

 

4.8

 

Fertilizers

 

386

 

536

 

492

 

1,763

 

8.6

 

2,273

 

9.1

 

Other products

 

40

 

46

 

119

 

151

 

0.7

 

619

 

2.5

 

Total COGS

 

5,119

 

5,040

 

6,892

 

20,513

 

100.0

 

25,064

 

100.0

 

Depreciation

 

875

 

861

 

1,122

 

3,529

 

 

 

3,857

 

 

 

COGS, ex-depreciation

 

4,244

 

4,179

 

5,770

 

16,984

 

 

 

21,207

 

 

 

 


(8)         COGS currency exposure in 2015 was made up as follows: 49% Brazilian Reais, 34% US dollar, 13% Canadian dollar,1% Australian dollar and 3% other currencies.

(9)         COGS currency exposure in 4Q15 was made up as follows: 45% Brazilian Reais, 37% US dollar, 13% Canadian dollar,2% Australian dollar and 3% other currencies.

 

12



Table of Contents

 

Expenses

 

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE

 

Total expenses decreased to US$ 2.362 billion in 2015 from the US$ 3.978 billion recorded in 2014, mainly due to: (i) a reduction in Other Expenses(10) (US$ 851 million); (ii) SG&A (US$ 447 million); and (iii) R&D (US$ 257 million). After deducting the positive one-off effects of US$ 230 million from the goldstream transaction recorded in 1Q15 and adjusting for the Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO) of US$ 331 million recorded in 4Q15, expenses decreased by US$ 1.1 billion, a reduction of 26.5%.

 

SG&A totaled US$ 652 million in 2015, representing a 40.7% decrease from the US$ 1.099 billion recorded in 2014. SG&A net of depreciation reduced by US$ 357 million in 2015 vs. 2014, as a result of the depreciation of the BRL and of the CAD (US$ 179 million), as well as the simplification of corporate functions (US$ 178 million).

 

R&D expenses totaled US$ 477 million in 2015, representing a 35.0% decrease from the US$ 734 million recorded in 2014. R&D expenses were mostly concentrated in iron ore and pellets (US$ 128 million) and nickel (US$ 103 million).

 

Pre-operating and stoppage expenses totaled US$ 1.027 billion in 2015, representing a 5.6% decrease from the US$ 1.088 billion recorded in 2014. The decrease in pre-operating expenses at VNC, S11D and Vargem Grande Itabirites(11) were partly offset by their increase at Long Harbour and Nacala.

 

Other operating expenses(12) totaled US$ 767 million in 2015, representing a 27.4% decrease from the US$ 1.057 billion recorded in 2014.

 

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE

 

Total expenses decreased to US$ 460 million in 4Q15 from the US$ 631 million recorded in 3Q15, mainly due to the positive one-off effect of the adjustment in ARO (US$ 331 million), partly offset by an increase in Other Expenses (US$ 154 million) and SG&A (US$ 36 million).

 

SG&A totaled US$ 167 million in 4Q15, representing a 27.5% increase from the US$ 131 million recorded in 3Q15, and a 45.4% decrease from the US$ 306 million recorded in 4Q14. SG&A net of depreciation increased by US$ 29 million in 4Q15 vs. 3Q15, despite the positive impact of the depreciation of the BRL and of the CAD (US$ 5 million), mainly as a result of: (i)

 


(10)  Including the positive one-off effects of US$ 230 million from the goldstream transaction recorded in 1Q15 and of US$ 331 million from the adjustment in ARO recorded in 4Q15.

(11)  Vargem Grande Itabiritos project was concluded in 2014.

(12)  After deducting the positive one-off effects of US$ 230 million from the goldstream transaction recorded in 1Q15 and of US$ 331 million from the adjustment in ARO recorded in 4Q15.

 

13



Table of Contents

 

a gain on the reversal of the provision for doubtful debts recorded in 3Q15 (US$ 10 million); (ii) the impact of the collective bargaining agreement for corporate and sales functions located in Brazil (US$ 4 million); (iii) higher expenses for global IT services (US$ 3 million); and (iv) termination of corporate contracts in Australia (US$ 2 million).

 

R&D expenses totaled US$ 119 million in 4Q15, in line with the US$ 121 million recorded in 3Q15, and representing a 49.4% decrease from the US$ 235 million recorded in 4Q14. R&D expenses were mostly concentrated in iron ore and pellets (US$ 27 million) and nickel (US$ 30 million).

 

Pre-operating and stoppage expenses totaled US$ 238 million in 4Q15, representing a 10.5% decrease from the US$ 266 million recorded in 3Q15, and representing a 18.5% decrease from the US$ 292 million recorded in 4Q14. Lower pre-operating expenses at VNC were the main driver for the reduction achieved in 4Q15 vs. 4Q14.

 

Other operating expenses totaled US$ 267 million in 4Q15, representing a 136.3% increase from the US$ 113 million recorded in 3Q15, mainly due to write-off of assets and settlement of insurance claims, and representing a 45.6% decrease from the US$ 491 million recorded in 4Q14.

 

Expenses

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

%

 

2014 

 

%

 

SG&A ex-depreciation

 

129

 

100

 

247

 

519

 

 

 

876

 

 

 

SG&A

 

167

 

131

 

306

 

652

 

27.6

 

1,099

 

27.6

 

Administrative

 

150

 

132

 

292

 

603

 

25.5

 

1,019

 

25.6

 

Personnel

 

55

 

56

 

118

 

267

 

11.3

 

436

 

11.0

 

Services

 

33

 

26

 

53

 

113

 

4.8

 

196

 

4.9

 

Depreciation

 

38

 

31

 

59

 

133

 

5.6

 

223

 

5.6

 

Others

 

24

 

19

 

62

 

90

 

3.8

 

164

 

4.1

 

Selling

 

17

 

(1

)

14

 

49

 

2.1

 

80

 

2.0

 

R&D

 

119

 

121

 

235

 

477

 

20.2

 

734

 

18.5

 

Pre-operating and stoppage expenses(1)

 

238

 

266

 

292

 

1,027

 

43.5

 

1,088

 

27.4

 

VNC

 

93

 

97

 

141

 

394

 

16.7

 

549

 

13.8

 

Long Harbour

 

47

 

65

 

42

 

278

 

11.8

 

125

 

3.1

 

S11D

 

14

 

11

 

15

 

52

 

2.2

 

29

 

0.7

 

Moatize

 

14

 

25

 

10

 

62

 

2.6

 

16

 

0.4

 

Others

 

70

 

68

 

84

 

241

 

10.2

 

369

 

9.3

 

Other operating expenses(2)

 

(64

)

113

 

491

 

206

 

8.7

 

1,057

 

26.6

 

Total Expenses

 

460

 

631

 

1,324

 

2,362

 

100.0

 

3,978

 

100.0

 

Depreciation

 

110

 

161

 

120

 

501

 

 

 

431

 

 

 

Expenses ex-depreciation

 

350

 

470

 

1,204

 

1,861

 

 

 

3,547

 

 

 

 


(1)         Includes U$ 67 million of depreciation charges in 4Q15, US$ 83 million in 3Q15, US$ 61 million in 4Q14, US$ 314 million in 2015 and US$ 209 million in 2014.

(2)         Include the positive one-off effects of US$ 230 million from the gold stream transaction recorded in 1Q15 and of US$ 331 million from the adjustment in ARO recorded in 4Q15.

 

14



Table of Contents

 

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization(13)

 

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE

 

Adjusted EBITDA was US$ 7.081 billion in 2015, 47% lower than the US$ 13.353 billion registered in 2014, mainly as a result of lower sales prices in ferrous minerals (-US$ 10.734 billion) and base metals (-US$ 2.195 billion). Lower costs and expenses partly offset the impact of lower prices by US$ 6.746 billion. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 27.7% in 2015.

 

Adjusted EBITDA was impacted by the following effects: (i) gains on the goldstream transaction recorded in 1Q15 (US$ 230 million), (ii) the adjustment in the Asset Retirement Obligations(14) which reduced expenses in 4Q15 (US$ 331 million),  and (iii) the hedge accounting related to freight costs which increased iron ore fines costs (-US$ 412 million).

 

Adjusted EBITDA will no longer be impacted by Vale’s hedge accounting program since all outstanding bunker oil exposure recorded under this program was settled in 4Q15.

 

Adjusted EBIT was US$ 2.734 billion in 2015, 67.8% lower than in 2014.

 

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE

 

Adjusted EBITDA was US$ 1.391 billion in 4Q15, 25.8% lower than in 3Q15, mainly as a result of lower sales prices in most of our commodities which impacted EBITDA negatively by US$ 943 million. Lower costs and expenses partly offset the impact of lower prices by US$ 334 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 23.6% in 4Q15.

 

Quarterly adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by the above-mentioned effect of the adjustment in ARO (US$ 331 million) and negatively impacted by decisions and/or events from previous quarters, with effects in 4Q15, such as: (i) bunker oil hedge accounting program for iron fines (US$ 134 million); (ii) provisional copper price adjustments (US$ 60 million); (iii) provisional manganese ore price adjustments (US$ 28 million); and (iv) the write-off of materials inventories in Base Metals (US$ 31 million).

 

Adjusted EBIT was US$ 320 million in 4Q15, 61.6% lower than in 3Q15.

 


(13)       Net revenues less costs and expenses net of depreciation plus dividends received.

(14)       The annual revision of the provisions for mine and other assets closures generated a positive impact as a result of the extension of working life for some of the mines and a revision of the scope of the work needed for closing the assets.

 

15



Table of Contents

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Gross operating revenues

 

5,986

 

6,618

 

9,226

 

26,047

 

38,236

 

Net operating revenues

 

5,899

 

6,505

 

9,072

 

25,609

 

37,539

 

COGS

 

(5,119

)

(5,040

)

(6,892

)

(20,513

)

(25,064

)

SG&A

 

(167

)

(131

)

(306

)

(652

)

(1,099

)

Research and development

 

(119

)

(121

)

(235

)

(477

)

(734

)

Pre-operating and stoppage expenses

 

(238

)

(266

)

(292

)

(1,027

)

(1,088

)

Other operational expenses

 

64

 

(113

)

(491

)

(206

)

(1,057

)

Adjusted EBIT

 

320

 

834

 

856

 

2,734

 

8,497

 

Depreciation, amortization  & depletion

 

984

 

1,022

 

1,242

 

4,029

 

4,288

 

Dividends received

 

87

 

19

 

89

 

318

 

568

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

1,391

 

1,875

 

2,187

 

7,081

 

13,353

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA by business area

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Ferrous minerals

 

1,409

 

1,652

 

1,702

 

5,899

 

11,321

 

Coal

 

(149

)

(129

)

(204

)

(508

)

(669

)

Base metals

 

111

 

193

 

582

 

1,388

 

2,521

 

Fertilizer nutrients

 

117

 

197

 

75

 

567

 

278

 

Others

 

(97

)

(38

)

32

 

(265

)

(98

)

Total

 

1,391

 

1,875

 

2,187

 

7,081

 

13,353

 

 

16



Table of Contents

 

Net income

 

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE

 

Vale posted a net loss of US$ 12.129 billion in 2015 compared to a net gain of US$ 657 million in 2014. The US$ 12.786 billion decrease was mostly driven by: (i) lower EBITDA (-US$ 6.272 billion); (ii) higher impairments on assets, onerous contracts and investments(15) (-US$ 8.189 billion), and (iii) higher losses on foreign exchange and monetary variation (-US$ 5.280 billion). This decrease was partially offset by higher deferred taxes (US$ 5.638 billion) and lower financial expenses (US$ 1.681 billion).

 

Underlying earnings were a negative US$ 1.698 billion in 2015, mainly due to: (i) the impact of lower EBITDA (-US$ 6.272 billion); (ii) the financial loss on derivatives(16) (-US$ 975 million); and (iii) loss on equity income from affiliated companies (-US$ 439 million). The negative impact on underlying earnings was partly offset by deferred taxes (US$ 5.489 billion).

 

Impairments on assets and investments(17) and the recognition of onerous contracts totaled US$ 9.372 billion in 2015.  The increase vs. 2014 was mainly due to the significant reduction in the price assumptions used for the impairment tests.

 

Impairments on assets and the recognition of onerous contracts (excluding impairments on investments) totaled US$ 8.926 billion in 2015 and were mainly driven by the impact of: (i) the decline in iron ore prices in the Midwestern system and the consequent production plan revision (US$ 522 million on assets and US$ 357 million on onerous contracts); (ii) the decision not to restart the pellet plants in the Northern system (US$ 55 million); (iii) the lower coal prices and the revision of mining plans in the Australian coal mines (US$ 635 million); (iv) the lower coal prices and the increase in logistic costs in Mozambique (US$ 2.403 billion); (v) the lower nickel prices in New Caledonia (US$ 1.462 billion) and in Newfoundland and Labrador (US$ 3.460 billion); (vi) the lower expectations on the recovery of amounts invested in the Rio Colorado potash project (US$ 548 million). The above-mentioned impairment charges were partially offset by impairment reversals, driven by the impact of: (i) the recovery of Onça Puma´s nickel production (US$ 252 million); and (ii) the depreciation of the BRL against the USD which benefited the Brazilian phosphate operations (US$ 391 million).

 


(15)  Of associates and joint ventures.

(16)  Composed mainly of bunker oil and commodities.

(17)  Of associates and joint ventures.

 

17



Table of Contents

 

Impairment
US$ million

 

Impairments on
assets in 2015

 

Recognition on onerous
contracts in 2015

 

Book Value after
impairments
Dec 31, 2015

 

Ferrous minerals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iron ore in the Midwestern system(1)

 

522

 

357

 

 

Pellets plants

 

55

 

 

 

Others

 

58

 

 

 

Coal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coal assets in Mozambique

 

2,403

 

 

1,729

 

Coal assets in Australia(1)

 

635

 

 

74

 

Base metals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vale New Caledonia (VNC)

 

1,462

 

 

3,725

 

Vale New Foundland and Labrador (VNL)

 

3,460

 

 

2,353

 

Onça Puma

 

(252

)

 

2,331

 

Others

 

62

 

 

 

Fertilizers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phosphate assets

 

(391

)

 

3,842

 

Rio Colorado Project (PRC)

 

548

 

 

20

 

Others

 

7

 

 

 

Total

 

8,569

 

357

 

14,000

 

 


(1) Includes intangible assets of US$ 81 million.

 

Impairments of investments of associates and joint ventures totaled US$ 446 million, comprising investments made in Samarco of US$ 132 million and Teal Minerals, a joint venture of Vale with ARM, which holds an 80% stake in the Lubambe copper operation, of US$ 314 million. The above-mentioned impairment on Samarco´s investments relates to Vale´s share of Samarco’s declared but unpaid dividends and royalties.

 

Impairment on investments
US$ million

 

Total impairments
in 2015

 

Book Value after impairments
Dec 31, 2015

 

Iron ore

 

 

 

 

 

Samarco

 

132

 

 

Base metals

 

 

 

 

 

Teal Minerals

 

314

 

 

Total

 

446

 

0

 

 

Net financial results showed a loss of US$ 10.801 billion in 2015, compared to a loss of US$ 6.069 billion in 2014. The main components of the net financial results are: (i) financial expenses (-US$ 1.112 billion); (ii) financial revenues (US$ 268 million); (iii) foreign exchange and monetary losses (-US$ 7.480 billion); (iv) currency and interest rate swaps losses (-US$ 1.502 billion) and (v) losses on other derivatives (-US$ 975 million), composed mainly of bunker oil derivative losses of US$ 742 million.

 

In 2015, the 47% depreciation of the BRL against the USD led to losses of US$ 8.666 billion, of which, US$ 7.164 billion came from the US$ 16.720 billion exposure on the net position of the USD denominated liabilities and USD denominated assets recorded mainly in Vale’s (parent company) financial statements, and US$ 1.502 billion loss from the mark-to-market of the swap transactions implemented to convert debt instruments into USD. In 2014, the depreciation of the BRL vs. the USD of 13% led to a US$ 2.802 billion loss.

 

18



Table of Contents

 

At the end of 2014, Brazilian corporate tax legislation was amended by Law number 12.973/13, taking effect in 2015. Under the amended legislation, income from foreign subsidiaries is recognized on an accrual basis for Brazilian tax purposes and top-up taxes are applicable in Brazil up to the standard Brazilian corporate tax rate of 34%. In compliance with the Brazilian legislation, and based on the tax losses carried forward at foreign subsidiaries and on economic and financial projections, US$ 2.952 billion was recorded as a deferred tax asset in 3Q15.

 

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE

 

Vale posted a net loss of US$ 8.569 billion in 4Q15 compared to a net loss of US$ 2.117 billion in 3Q15. The US$ 6.452 billion loss was mostly driven by the above mentioned impairments on assets, onerous contracts and investments of US$ 9.372 billion, which was partially offset by gains on monetary and foreign exchange variation of US$ 5.290 billion. Underlying earnings were a negative US$ 1.032 billion in 4Q15 after excluding the one-off effects, mainly due to financial expenses result of US$ 246 million and financial losses on derivatives(18) of US$ 289 million.

 

Net financial results showed a gain of US$ 353 million in 4Q15, compared to a loss of US$ 7.176 billion in 3Q15. The main components of net financial results are: (i) financial expenses (-US$ 326 million); (ii) financial revenues (US$ 80 million); (iii) foreign exchange and monetary gains in USD denominated debt (US$ 173 million); (iv) currency and interest rate swap gains (US$ 715 million) as a result of the mark-to-market of Vale’s swap liabilities driven by the increase in Vale’s Credit Default Swap (CDS) and (v) losses on other derivatives (-US$ 289 million), composed mainly of bunker oil derivatives losses of US$ 212 million.

 

Differently from the 28% depreciation of the BRL vs. the USD throughout 3Q15 which led to a US$ 6.221 billion loss, the 2% appreciation of the BRL against the USD in 4Q15 led to a US$ 970 million gain, of which US$ 255 million came from the US$ 17.402 billion exposure on the net position of the USD denominated liabilities and USD denominated assets recorded(19) in Vale’s (parent company) financial statements, and US$ 715 million from the mark-to-market of the swap liabilities.

 

Equity income from affiliated companies

 

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE

 

Equity income from affiliated companies was a negative US$ 439 million in 2015 against a positive US$ 505 million recorded in 2014. The main negative contributors to equity income

 


(18)  Composed mainly of bunker oil and commodities.

(19)  The US$ 216 million gain includes the impact of the BRL appreciation on: (i) the USD denominated debt recorded as financial results (US$ 134 million); and (ii) other assets and liabilities (US$ 82 million).

 

19



Table of Contents

 

were CSP (US$ 307 million) and Samarco (US$ 167 million) due to the impact of the BRL depreciation on the USD denominated debt of these companies, and Teal Minerals (US$ 129 million). Positive contributors to Vale’s equity income were the leased pelletizing companies in Tubarão (US$ 106 million), Aliança Geração Energia (US$ 50 million) and VLI (US$ 46 million), MRS (US$ 43 million) and MRN (US$ 40 million).

 

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE

 

Equity income from affiliated companies was a negative US$ 37 million in 4Q15 against a negative US$ 349 million recorded in 3Q15. The main negative contributors to equity income were Teal Minerals (-US$ 99 million) and CSA (-US$ 20 million). Positive contributors to Vale’s equity income were the leased pelletizing companies in Tubarão (US$ 26 million), Aliança Geração Energia (US$ 24 million), MRN (US$ 20 million), VLI (US$ 14 million) and MRS (US$ 11 million).

 

Underlying earnings

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Underlying earnings

 

(1,032

)

(961

)

(251

)

(1,698

)

4,419

 

Items excluded from basic earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment on assets and investments

 

(9,372

)

 

(378

)

(9,372

)

(1,152

)

Gain (loss) on fair value on non-current assets

 

(29

)

(48

)

(167

)

61

 

(167

)

Deferred Income tax - foreign subsidiaries

 

 

2,990

 

 

2,990

 

 

Shareholders Debentures

 

252

 

75

 

62

 

963

 

(315

)

Foreign Exchange

 

255

 

(5,025

)

(1,186

)

(7,164

)

(2,119

)

Monetary variation

 

(82

)

(92

)

(71

)

(316

)

(81

)

Currency and interest rate swaps

 

715

 

(1,196

)

(524

)

(1,502

)

(683

)

Fair value on financial instruments

 

(80

)

29

 

17

 

(69

)

(115

)

Gain (loss) on sale of investments

 

 

 

 

97

 

(61

)

Foreign exchange gain (loss) on equity results

 

 

 

 

 

(159

)

Tax effects of Impairment

 

1,164

 

 

70

 

1,164

 

(57

)

Income tax over excluded items

 

(360

)

2,111

 

579

 

2,717

 

1,147

 

Net Income (loss)

 

(8,569

)

(2,117

)

(1,849

)

(12,129

)

657

 

 

Financial results

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Financial expenses

 

(326

)

(352

)

(502

)

(1,112

)

(2,936

)

Gross interest(1)

 

(229

)

(239

)

(259

)

(891

)

(1,148

)

Tax and labour contingencies

 

(19

)

10

 

(22

)

(59

)

(91

)

Others(2)

 

43

 

15

 

(56

)

386

 

(1,014

)

Financial expenses (REFIS)

 

(121

)

(138

)

(165

)

(547

)

(683

)

Financial income

 

80

 

92

 

55

 

268

 

401

 

Derivatives

 

426

 

(1,799

)

(1,087

)

(2,477

)

(1,334

)

Currency and interest rate swaps

 

715

 

(1,196

)

(524

)

(1,502

)

(683

)

Others (bunker oil, commodities, etc)

 

(289

)

(603

)

(563

)

(975

)

(651

)

Foreign Exchange

 

255

 

(5,025

)

(1,186

)

(7,164

)

(2,119

)

Monetary variation

 

(82

)

(92

)

(71

)

(316

)

(81

)

Financial result, net

 

353

 

(7,176

)

(2,791

)

(10,801

)

(6,069

)

 


(1) The capitalization of interest over assets under construction amounted to US$ 193 million in 4Q15, US$ 195 million in 3Q15, US$ 96 million in 4Q14, US$ 761 million in 2015 and US$ 588 million in 2014.

(2) Other financial expenses include the mark-to-market of shareholder debentures which amounted to US$ 253 million in 4Q15, US$ 75 million in 3Q15, US$ 62 million in 4Q14, US$ 964 million in 2015 and -US$ 315 million in 2014.

 

20



Table of Contents

 

EFFECTS OF CURRENCY PRICE VOLATILITY ON VALE’S FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

 

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE

 

In 2015, from end to end, the Brazilian Real (BRL) depreciated 47% against the US Dollar (USD) from BRL 2.66/ USD as of December 30th, 2014 to BRL 3.90/ USD as of December 30th, 2015. On an annual average, the exchange rate depreciated by 42%, from an average BRL 2.35/ USD in 2014 to an average BRL 3.34/USD in 2015.

 

Although Vale reports its financial performance in USD, the BRL depreciation impacts its results since the functional currency of Vale’s parent company, Vale S. A., is the BRL.

 

The end to end depreciation of the BRL against the USD and other currencies caused mainly non-cash losses of US$ 8.666 billion on our earnings before taxes in 2015, driven by its impact on:

 

·                  The net position of the USD and other currency denominated liabilities and the USD and other currency denominated assets (accounts receivable and others) — which amounted to a loss of US$ 7.164 billion in 2015, recorded in the financial statements as “Foreign exchange”.

 

·                  The forward and swaps derivatives that are used to reduce the volatility of our cash flows in USD. In 2015, the changes in fair value and the settlements of the currency swaps from the BRL and other currencies to the USD caused one-off losses of US$ 1.502 billion.

 

The BRL depreciation, on an annual average, had positive impacts on our cash flows. In 2015 most of our revenues were denominated in USD, while our COGS were 49% denominated in BRL, 34% in USD and 13% in Canadian dollars (CAD) and about 75% of our capital expenditures were denominated in BRL. The depreciation of the BRL and of other currencies in 2015 reduced our costs and expenses by US$ 4.862 billion.

 

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE

 

In 4Q15, from end to end, the Brazilian Real (BRL) appreciated 1.7% against the US Dollar (USD) from BRL 3.97/ USD as of September 30th, 2015 to BRL 3.90/ USD as of December 30th, 2015. On a quarterly average, the exchange rate depreciated by 8.7%, from an average BRL 3.54/ USD in 3Q15 to an average BRL 3.84/USD in 4Q15.

 

The end to end appreciation of the BRL against the USD and other currencies caused mainly

 

21



Table of Contents

 

non-cash gains of US$ 970 million on our earnings before taxes in 4Q15, driven by its impact on:

 

·                  The net position of the USD and other currency denominated liabilities and the USD and other currency denominated assets (accounts receivable and others) — which amounted to a gain of US$ 255 million in 4Q15, recorded in the financial statements as “Foreign exchange”.

 

·                  The forward and swaps derivatives that are used to reduce the volatility of our cash flows in USD. In 4Q15, the changes in fair value and the settlements of the currency swaps from the BRL and other currencies to the USD caused one-off gains of US$ 715 million.

 

The BRL depreciation on a quarterly average had positive impacts on our cash flows. In 4Q15 most of our revenues were denominated in USD, while our COGS were 45% denominated in BRL, 37% in USD and 13% in Canadian dollars (CAD) and about 75% of our capital expenditures were denominated in BRL. The depreciation of the BRL and of other currencies in 4Q15 reduced our costs and expenses by US$ 210 million.

 

22



Table of Contents

 

Investments

 

Capital expenditures totaled US$ 8.401 billion in 2015 with US$ 5.548 billion in project execution and US$ 2.853 billion in sustaining capital. Capital expenditures decreased US$ 3.578 billion in 2015 vs. the U$ 11.979 billion spent in 2014. Total annual capex exceeded the previous guidance by US$ 0.2 billion as a result of a better than expected execution of the S11D project and its associated logistics.

 

In 4Q15, Vale’s capital expenditures totaled US$ 2.193 billion with US$ 1.366 billion in project execution and US$ 827 million in sustaining capital.

 

Project execution and sustaining by business area

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

%

 

2014 

 

%

 

Ferrous minerals

 

1,087

 

1,099

 

2,382

 

4,946

 

58.9

 

7,140

 

59.6

 

Coal

 

464

 

333

 

555

 

1,539

 

18.3

 

2,336

 

19.5

 

Base metals

 

533

 

370

 

608

 

1,556

 

18.5

 

1,604

 

13.4

 

Fertilizer nutrients

 

97

 

55

 

122

 

257

 

3.1

 

320

 

2.7

 

Power generation

 

10

 

16

 

59

 

78

 

0.9

 

160

 

1.3

 

Steel

 

3

 

6

 

15

 

22

 

0.3

 

222

 

1.9

 

Others

 

 

 

8

 

3

 

 

195

 

1.6

 

Total

 

2,193

 

1,879

 

3,749

 

8,401

 

100.0

 

11,979

 

100.0

 

 

Project execution

 

Vale´s investments in project execution decreased from US$ 7.920 billion in 2014 to US$ 5.548 billion in 2015, with the completion of projects, scope optimization and the positive impact of exchange rates.

 

The Ferrous Minerals and the Coal business segments accounted for about 65% and 32%, respectively, of the total investment in capital execution in 4Q15.

 

Project execution by business area

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

%

 

2014 

 

%

 

Ferrous minerals

 

894

 

878

 

1,523

 

3,878

 

69.9

 

4,836

 

61.1

 

Coal

 

431

 

311

 

510

 

1,472

 

26.5

 

2,184

 

27.6

 

Base metals

 

16

 

10

 

149

 

54

 

1.0

 

462

 

5.8

 

Fertilizer nutrients

 

13

 

11

 

27

 

45

 

0.8

 

63

 

0.8

 

Power generation

 

9

 

16

 

56

 

77

 

1.4

 

155

 

2.0

 

Steel

 

3

 

6

 

15

 

22

 

0.4

 

222

 

2.8

 

Total

 

1,366

 

1,232

 

2,279

 

5,548

 

100.0

 

7,920

 

100.0

 

 

FERROUS MINERALS

 

About 85% of the US$ 894 million invested in Ferrous Minerals in 4Q15 relates to project execution in iron ore, primarily on the S11D project and the expansion of its associated infrastructure (US$ 760 million).

 

23



Table of Contents

 

Assembly area between System 4 and Transfer House 01

 

 

S11D (including mine, plant and associated logistics — CLN S11D) reached combined physical progress of 67% in 4Q15 with 80% progress at the mine site and 57% at the logistic sites. The railway spur reached 81% physical progress and the off-shore pile-driving in the north berth reached 99% physical progress. The existing railway capacity increased to 147 Mtpy with the duplication of 59 Km upon completion of 8 segments.

 

EFC (Estrada de Ferro Carajás) railway expansion — bridge over the Cajuapara river

 

 

Cauê Itabiritos, with nominal capacity of 7 Mtpy of sinter feed and 16 Mtpy of pellet feed is in the process of ramp-up and final tie-ins. The project was delivered on time and budget with total investments of US$ 926 million and physical progress of 95% at this point.

 

The 5th line of Brucutu projects concluded its ramp-up in 3Q15. The Conceição I and the Vargem Grande Itabirites projects concluded their ramp-up in 4Q15. The Conceição II Itabirites project started in 2Q15 and has been ramping up as planned.

 

24



Table of Contents

 

COAL

 

Investments in the Moatize II project and in the Nacala Logistics Corridor totaled US$ 196 million and US$ 259 million, respectively, in 4Q15.

 

Moatize II achieved physical progress of 99% in 4Q15 with commissioning on the handling system and cargo testing in one line of the CPP (Coal Preparation Plant) initiated. The two lines are expected to have their cargo testing completed by March.

 

The upgrade of the brownfield sections of the railway was completed in 4Q15. The Nacala Logistics Corridor (NLC) successfully transported and discharged 523,000 tons of thermal coal at the Nacala port, having completed the four shipments of coal as of January 2016.

 

Description and status of main projects

 

Project

 

Description

 

Capacity
(Mtpy)

 

Status

Ferrous Minerals projects

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carajás Serra Sul S11D

 

·       Development of a mine and processing plant, located in the Southern range of Carajás, Pará, Brazil.

 

90

 

·       Delivery of eletrocenters of the mine and plant ongoing

 

·       Transmission line connecting Carajás to Canaã energized

CLN S11D

 

·       Duplication of 570 km railway, with construction of rail spur of 101 km. Acquisition of wagons, locomotives, and onshore and offshore expansions at PDM maritime terminal.

 

(80)(a)

 

·       Foundation work on the PDM port expansion ongoing — pile driving in the off-shore north berth reached 99% physical progress

 

·       Duplication of the railway reached 41% physical progress

 

·       Railway spur reached 81% physical progress

CSP(b)

 

·       Development of a steel slab plant in partnership with Dongkuk and Posco, located in Ceará, Brazil.

 

1.5

 

·       Assembly of the steel structure reached 97% physical progress

 

·       Civil works reached 99% physical progress

Coal Projects

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moatize II

 

·       New pit and duplication of the Moatize CHPP, as well as all related infrastructure, located in Tete, Mozambique.

 

11

 

·       Electromechanical assembly reached 99% physical progress

 

·       Commissioning on the belt conveyors initiated

 

·       Testing on one line of the CHPP initiated

 


(a) Net additional capacity.
(b) Relative to Vale’s stake in the project.

 

25



Table of Contents

 

Progress indicators(20)

 

 

 

Capacity

 

Estimated 

 

Executed capex
(US$ million)

 

Estimated capex
(US$ million)

 

Physical 

 

Project

 

 (Mtpy)

 

start-up

 

2015

 

Total

 

2016

 

Total

 

progress

 

Ferrous minerals projects

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carajás Serra Sul S11D

 

90

 

2H16

 

1,163

 

4,655

 

921

 

6,405

(c)

80

%

CLN S11D

 

230(80)

(b)

1H14 to 2H18

 

1,814

 

4,467

 

1,372

 

7,850

(d)

57

%

CSP(a)

 

1.5

 

1H16

 

 

1,055

 

188

 

1,224

(e)

97

%

Coal projects

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moatize II

 

11

 

1H16

 

558

 

1,942

 

105

 

2,068

(f)

99

%

 


(a) Relative to Vale’s stake in the project.

(b) Net additional capacity.

(c) Original capex budget of US$ 8.089 billion.

(d) Original capex budget of US$ 11.582 billion.

(e) Original capex of US$ 2.734 billion; Out of the original capex - US$ 1.491 billion financed directly by the CSP project.

(f) Original capex of US$ 2.068 billion plus US$ 0.45 billion of rolling stock.

 

Sustaining capex

 

Sustaining capital expenditures decreased from US$ 4.059 billion in 2014 to US$ 2.853 billion in 2015.

 

On a quarter on quarter basis, Vale’s investment increased due to seasonality. Sustaining capital expenditures amounted to US$ 827 million in 4Q15, increasing US$ 180 million vs. 3Q15. The base metals and ferrous minerals business segment accounted for 62% and 23%, respectively, of the total sustaining capex in 4Q15.

 

Sustaining capital expenditures for the ferrous minerals business segment included, among others: (i) the replacement and acquisition of new equipment (US$ 94 million), (ii) the improvement in the current standards of health and safety and environmental protection (US$ 23 million), (iii) the maintenance, improvement and expansion of tailing dams (US$ 17 million) and (iv) operational enhancements (US$ 20 million). Maintenance of railways and ports in Brazil and Malaysia accounted for US$ 65 million.

 

Sustaining investments in iron ore (excluding sustaining investments in pellets plants) amounted to US$ 178 million, equivalent to US$ 2.3/wmt of iron ore fines in 4Q15, a 25.8% decrease vs. US$ 3.1/wmt in 3Q15. This quarter over quarter decrease reflects scope optimization, positive impact of the depreciation of the BRL and the effect of higher volumes.

 

Sustaining capex in the base metals business segment operations was mainly dedicated to: (i) operational enhancement (US$ 371 million), (ii) improvement in the current standards of

 


(20)  In this table we do not include pre-operating expenses in the estimated capex for the year, although these expenses are included in the total estimated capex column, in line with our Board of Directors approval process. Moreover, our estimated capex for the year is only reviewed once a year.

 

26



Table of Contents

 

health and safety and environmental protection (US$ 69 million), (iii) replacement and acquisition of new equipment (US$ 48 million) and (iv) maintenance, improvement and expansion of tailing dams (US$ 21 million).

 

Capex for operational enhancements in the base metals business segment in 4Q15 was 52.9% higher than in 3Q15. The increase was mainly driven by higher than average payments for services related to Long Harbour project in 4Q15, according to the usual seasonality and in line with the 2015 budget. Long Harbour achieved an important milestone of operating exclusively with feed from Voisey’s Bay by the end of 4Q15. For 2016, the Base Metals business segment budget for sustaining investments is roughly 25% lower than in 2015.

 

Sustaining capex by type - 4Q15

 

US$ million

 

Ferrous 
Minerals

 

Coal

 

Base
Metals

 

Fertilizer

 

TOTAL

 

Operations

 

114

 

14

 

419

 

54

 

601

 

Waste dumps and tailing dams

 

17

 

3

 

21

 

7

 

48

 

Health and Safety

 

19

 

1

 

65

 

8

 

92

 

CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility

 

10

 

 

5

 

10

 

25

 

Administrative & Others

 

35

 

15

 

7

 

4

 

61

 

Total

 

194

 

33

 

517

 

83

 

827

 

 

Sustaining capex by business area

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

%

 

2014 

 

%

 

Ferrous minerals

 

193

 

221

 

859

 

1,068

 

37.4

 

2,305

 

56.7

 

Coal

 

33

 

22

 

46

 

67

 

2.3

 

153

 

3.8

 

Base metals

 

517

 

360

 

459

 

1,502

 

52.6

 

1,144

 

28.2

 

Fertilizer nutrients

 

83

 

44

 

95

 

212

 

7.4

 

258

 

6.4

 

Power generation

 

1

 

 

3

 

1

 

0.1

 

5

 

0.1

 

Others

 

 

 

8

 

3

 

0.1

 

197

 

4.8

 

Total

 

827

 

647

 

1,470

 

2,853

 

100.0

 

4,061

 

100.0

 

 

Portfolio management

 

Vale sold four very large ore carriers of 400,000 tons deadweight to ICBC Financial Leasing in 4Q15. The transaction totaled US$ 423 million.

 

Sales of assets totaled US$ 3.525 billion in 2015, with US$ 1.316 billion coming from the sale of 12 very large ore carriers to Chinese shipowners, US$ 1.089 billion coming from the sale of 36.4% of MBR preferred shares, US$ 900 million from another goldstream transaction and US$ 97 million from the sale of energy assets.

 

Corporate social responsibility

 

Investments in corporate social responsibility totaled US$ 366 million in 4Q15, of which US$ 269 million dedicated to environmental protection and conservation and US$ 97 million dedicated to social projects.

 

27



Table of Contents

 

Debt indicators

 

Gross debt totaled US$ 28.853 billion as of December 31st, 2015, slightly higher than the US$ 28.675 billion as of September 30th, 2015 mainly as a result of the: (i) distribution of dividends in the amount of US$ 500 million in October and (ii) impact of exchange rate on the translation of BRL denominated debt into USD(21). Those impacts were partly offset by the cash proceeds of US$ 423 million from the sale of vessels in 4Q15. Gross debt was in line with the US$ 28.807 billion as of December 31st, 2014. Net debt increased by US$ 1.021 billion compared to the end of the previous quarter, totaling US$ 25.234 billion based on a cash position of US$ 3.619 billion as of December 31st, 2015.

 

Debt position

 

 

After currency and interest rates hedge, Vale’s gross debt on December 31st, 2015 was composed of 24% of floating and 76% of fixed interest rates, and 93% was denominated in US dollars.

 

Average debt maturity decreased slightly to 8.1 years. The average cost of debt, after the above-mentioned hedge, increased to 4.47% per annum on December 31st, 2015, against 4.37% on September 30th, 2015.

 

Interest coverage, measured by the ratio of the LTM(22) adjusted EBITDA to LTM interest payment, was 4.8x on December 31st, 2015 against 5.3x on September 30th, 2015.

 


(21)  In 4Q15, from end to end, the BRL appreciated 1.7% against the USD.

(22)  Last twelve months.

 

28



Table of Contents

 

Gross debt to LTM adjusted EBITDA was 4.1x as of December 31st, 2015. Although the vast majority of financing agreements do not contain financial covenants, Vale had 21% of total debt at the end of 2015 with this leverage measure as a financial covenant in contracts with BNDES and other export and development agencies. As a preventive measure, during the last quarter of 2015, Vale reached agreements to increase the upper limit of the gross debt to adjusted EBITDA financial covenant from 4.5x to 5.5x, until the end of 2016. This measure brings more flexibility during a period in which Vale is finalizing its investment cycle.

 

Debt indicators

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

Gross debt

 

28,853

 

28,675

 

28,807

 

Net debt

 

25,234

 

24,213

 

24,685

 

Gross debt / adjusted LTM EBITDA (x)

 

4.1

 

3.6

 

2.2

 

Adjusted LTM EBITDA / LTM interest expenses (x)

 

4.8

 

5.3

 

8.6

 

 

29



Table of Contents

 

Performance of the business segments

 

The share of the Ferrous Minerals business segment in the adjusted EBITDA decreased to 83.3% in 2015 from 84.8% in 2014, while the Base Metals business segment increased its share in total EBITDA to 19.6% from 18.9% in 2014 and the Fertilizers business segment improved its share to 8.0% from 2.1% in 2014. The contribution from the Coal business segment and Others went from -5.0% in 2014 to -7.2% in 2015 and from -0.7% in 2014 to -3.7% in 2015, respectively.

 

The Ferrous Minerals business segment contribution to total EBITDA in 4Q15 reached 101.3%, followed by the Fertilizer business segment which contributed with 8.4%, the Base Metals business segment contributed with 8.0%, while the Coal business segment and Others contributed with -10.7% and -7.0% of Vale´s total adjusted EBITDA, respectively.

 

Segment information — 2015, as per footnote of financial statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

 

 

SG&A

 

 

 

operating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

revenues

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

&

 

 

 

Adjusted

 

US$ million

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Cost

 

others

 

R&D

 

stoppage

 

Dividends

 

EBITDA(1)

 

Ferrous minerals

 

16,821

 

16,562

 

(10,241

)

(380

)

(128

)

(169

)

255

 

5,899

 

Iron ore fines

 

12,382

 

12,330

 

(7,604

)

(398

)

(121

)

(124

)

22

 

4,105

 

ROM

 

111

 

102

 

(50

)

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

52

 

Pellets

 

3,717

 

3,600

 

(2,121

)

9

 

(4

)

(24

)

225

 

1,685

 

Others ferrous

 

428

 

368

 

(291

)

8

 

(3

)

(2

)

8

 

88

 

Mn & Alloys

 

183

 

162

 

(175

)

1

 

0

 

(19

)

0

 

(31

)

Coal

 

526

 

526

 

(839

)

(140

)

(22

)

(61

)

28

 

(508

)

Base metals

 

6,171

 

6,163

 

(4,296

)

44

 

(111

)

(412

)

0

 

1,388

 

Nickel(2)

 

4,693

 

4,693

 

(3,393

)

(154

)

(103

)

(411

)

0

 

632

 

Copper(3)

 

1,478

 

1,470

 

(903

)

198

 

(8

)

(1

)

0

 

756

 

Fertilizer nutrients

 

2,386

 

2,225

 

(1,469

)

(37

)

(82

)

(70

)

0

 

567

 

Others

 

143

 

133

 

(139

)

(160

)

(134

)

0

 

35

 

(265

)

Total

 

26,047

 

25,609

 

(16,984

)

(673

)

(477

)

(712

)

318

 

7,081

 

 


(1)  Excluding non-recurring effects.

(2)  Including copper and by products from our nickel operations.
(3)  Including by products from our copper operations.

 

30



Table of Contents

 

Segment information — 4Q15, as per footnote of financial statements

 

 

 

Operating
revenues

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

US$ million

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Cost

 

SG&A and othes

 

R&D

 

Pre
operating &
stoppage

 

Dividends

 

Adjusted
EBITDA(1)

 

Ferrous minerals

 

3,883

 

3,830

 

(2,497

)

120

 

(27

)

(61

)

44

 

1,409

 

Iron ore fines

 

2,956 

 

2,945

 

(1,924

)

128

 

(26

)

(50

)

22

 

1,095

 

ROM

 

14

 

13

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

9

 

Pellets

 

806

 

780

 

(453

)

(7

)

(1

)

(5

)

22

 

336

 

Others ferrous

 

93

 

79

 

(71

)

(4

)

 

(1

)

 

3

 

Mn & Alloys

 

14

 

13

 

(45

)

3

 

 

(5

)

 

(34

)

Coal

 

108

 

108

 

(260

)

(9

)

(4

)

(12

)

28

 

(149

)

Base metals

 

1,458 

 

1,458

 

(1,131

)

(95

)

(32

)

(89

)

 

111

 

Nickel(2)

 

1,107 

 

1,107

 

(892

)

(74

)

(30

)

(89

)

 

22

 

Copper(3)

 

351

 

351

 

(239

)

(21

)

(2

)

 

 

89

 

Fertilizer nutrients

 

513

 

481

 

(319

)

(14

)

(22

)

(9

)

 

117

 

Others

 

24

 

22

 

(37

)

(63

)

(34

)

 

15

 

(97

)

Total

 

5,986 

 

5,899

 

(4,244

)

(61

)

(119

)

(171

)

87

 

1,391

 

 


(1) Excluding non-recurring effects.

(2) Including copper and by products from our nickel operations.

(3) Including by products from our copper operations.

 

31



Table of Contents

 

Ferrous minerals

 

Adjusted EBITDA of the Ferrous Minerals business segment was US$ 5.899 billion in 2015, 47.9% lower than in 2014, mainly as result of lower sales prices (-US$ 11.414 billion), which were partially offset by real competitiveness gains of US$ 3.477 billion such as: (i) marketing and commercial initiatives (US$ 680 million); (ii) higher sales volumes (US$ 1.599 billion); (iii) favorable renegotiations of chartering freight contracts (US$ 300 million); and (iv) the ongoing cost reduction initiatives (US$ 898 million).

 

Commercial, marketing and operational initiatives amounted to roughly US$ 680 million and thus positively impacted sales revenues in 2015. Those initiatives were mainly: (i) the increase in the average negotiated premiums for iron ore fines; (ii) the increase in realized prices for FOB sales contracts; (iii) the change in the mix of products; and (iv) the increase in product quality.

 

EBITDA variation

 

 

32



Table of Contents

 

Iron ore

 

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE

 

EBITDA

 

Adjusted EBITDA of iron ore fines was US$ 4.105 billion in 2015, 49.2% lower than in 2014, which negatively impacted adjusted EBITDA by US$ 3.971 billion mainly as a result of lower sales prices.

 

Adjusted EBITDA will no longer be impacted by Vale’s hedge accounting program since all outstanding bunker oil exposure recorded under such program was settled in 4Q15. Vale’s hedge accounting program for iron ore fines had a negative impact of US$ 412 million in 2015.

 

SALES REVENUES AND VOLUME

 

Net sales revenues for iron ore fines, excluding pellets and Run of Mine (ROM), decreased to US$ 12.330 billion in 2015, 36.1% lower than in 2014. The decrease was a result of lower iron ore sales prices (US$ 8.549 billion), which were partially offset by the sales volumes increase, which contributed with US$ 1.578 billion to sales revenues when compared to 2014.

 

The main factors that contributed to the increase in sales volumes of iron ore fines from the 255.9 Mt in 2014 to 276.4 Mt in 2015 were the annual supply record of 345.9 Mt of iron ore fines (including the acquisition of iron ore from third parties). ROM sales totaled 12.3 Mt in 2015.

 

Vale’s realized CFR/FOB wmt price(23) for iron ore fines (ex-ROM) was US$ 44.6 per metric ton in 2015, significantly lower than the US$ 75.4 per metric ton in 2014.

 

COST AND EXPENSES

 

Iron ore fines costs totaled US$ 7.604 billion (or US$ 8.720 billion with depreciation charges) in 2015 against US$ 9.532 billion in 2014. After adjusting for the effects of higher sales volumes (US$ 1.023 billion) and exchange rate variations (-US$ 1.442 billion), costs decreased by US$ 1.510 billion when compared to 2014, driven by the ongoing cost reduction initiatives and the ramp-up of both the N4WS and N5S extension mines, Conceição Itabiritos II and Vargem Grande Itabiritos.

 

Total cash cost at the port (mine, plant, railroad and port, ex-royalties) was US$ 3.825 billion. Cash cost was calculated after deducting from COGS: (i) iron ore freight costs of US$ 2.825

 


(23)  The realized CFR/FOB wmt price is the weighted average price of Vale’s CFR sales and Vale’s FOB sales

 

33



Table of Contents

 

billion; (ii) depreciation of US$ 1.116 billion; (iii) iron ore acquired from third parties of US$ 210 million and (iv) bunker oil hedge costs accounted for as “hedge accounting” of US$ 412 million. Cash cost per metric ton (ex-ROM and ex-royalties) in 2015 was US$ 14.4/t, significantly lower than the US$ 20.8/t from 2014.

 

SG&A and other expenses significantly decreased to US$ 398 million, 68.4% lower than in 2014, after the adjustment of the US$ 322 million from the Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO).

 

Pre-operational expenses decreased to US$ 124 million, 25.5% lower than in 2014 as a result of the ramp-up of the N4WS, N5S extension, Conceição Itabiritos II and Vargem Grande Itabiritos.

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin for iron ore fines (excluding ROM and third party ores) was US$ 14.7 /t in 2015.

 

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE

 

EBITDA

 

Adjusted EBITDA for iron ore fines was US$ 1.095 billion in 4Q15, US$ 127 million lower than the US$ 1.222 billion achieved in 3Q15, mainly due to the decrease in sales prices (-US$ 738 million), which was partially offset by higher sales volumes (US$ 125 million), lower SG&A and other expenses (US$ 258 million) as result of the positive impact of adjustments to the Asset Retirement Obligations (US$ 322 million).

 

Adjusted EBITDA will no longer be impacted by Vale’s hedge accounting program since all outstanding bunker oil exposure recorded under such program was settled in 4Q15. Vale’s hedge accounting program for iron ore fines had a negative impact on EBITDA of US$ 134 million in 4Q15.

 

SALES REVENUES AND VOLUME

 

Net sales revenues for iron ore fines were US$ 2.945 billion in 4Q15, 10.1% lower than in 3Q15 due to lower sales prices. ROM sales revenues in 4Q15 were US$ 13 million.

 

Iron ore own production, excluding Samarco’s attributable production and third party ore, was 85.4 Mt in 4Q15, a quarterly production record for a fourth quarter and 2.4 Mt higher than in 4Q14. The good operational performance was driven by the ramp-up of the N4WS, N5S extension, Conceição Itabiritos II and Vargem Grande Itabiritos.

 

Sales volumes of iron ore fines reached 79.2 Mt in 4Q15, 12.3% higher than in 3Q15 and 6.2% higher than in 4Q14 on the back of: (i) production of 85.4 Mt; (ii) acquisition of 3.1 Mt of

 

34



Table of Contents

 

iron ore from third parties; (iii) deduction of 11.6 Mt of iron ore fines used for the production of pellets; (iv) consumption of 3.9 Mt allocated from product inventories and (v) deduction of 1.6 Mt of ROM sales.

 

CFR sales of iron ore fines increased from 44.9 Mt in 3Q15 to 53.6 Mt in 4Q15, representing 68% of all iron ore fines sales volumes in 4Q15. The increase was mainly due to higher sales to China, which are mostly negotiated on a CFR basis.

 

Net Operating revenue by product

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Iron ore fines

 

2,945

 

3,278

 

4,568

 

12,330

 

19,301

 

ROM

 

13

 

24

 

42

 

102

 

215

 

Pellets

 

780

 

883

 

1,270

 

3,600

 

5,263

 

Manganese & Ferroalloys

 

13

 

26

 

131

 

162

 

392

 

Others

 

79

 

101

 

105

 

368

 

526

 

Total

 

3,830

 

4,312

 

6,116

 

16,562

 

25,697

 

 

Volume sold

 

‘000 metric tons

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Iron ore fines

 

79,213

 

70,530

 

74,603

 

276,393

 

255,877

 

ROM

 

1,627

 

3,546

 

3,552

 

12,269

 

14,075

 

Pellets

 

10,837

 

11,961

 

12,686

 

46,284

 

43,682

 

Manganese ore

 

568

 

448

 

828

 

1,764

 

1,879

 

Ferroalloys

 

12

 

3

 

36

 

69

 

150

 

 

REALIZED PRICES

 

Iron ore sales in 4Q15 were distributed across three pricing systems: (i) 47% based on the current quarter, month and daily spot prices, including provisional price sales that were settled within the quarter; (ii) 42% based on provisional prices with settlement price based on the market price defined on the delivery date, in which case prices had not yet been settled at the end of the quarter; and (iii) 11% linked to past prices (quarter-lagged).

 

Vale’s CFR dmt reference price for iron ore fines (ex-ROM) decreased by US$ 10.9/t from US$ 56.0/t in 3Q15 to US$ 45.1/t in 4Q15, being US$ 1.6/t lower than the average Platts IODEX 62% of US$ 46.7/t in 4Q15.

 

Vale’s CFR/FOB wmt price for iron ore fines (ex-ROM) decreased by US$ 9.3/t from US$ 46.5/t in 3Q15 to US$ 37.2/t in 4Q15, after adjusting for moisture and the effect of FOB sales on 32% of the total sales volumes.

 

Price realization in 4Q15 was impacted by:

 

·                  Provisional prices set at the end of 3Q15 at US$ 51.5/t, which were later adjusted based on the price of delivery in 4Q15, impacted prices in 4Q15 by a negative US$ 1.0/t compared to a negative US$ 0.7/t in 3Q15 as a result of the downward trend curve observed in the IODEX in 4Q15.

 

35



Table of Contents

 

·                  Provisional prices set at the end of 4Q15 at US$ 41.0/t vs. the IODEX average of US$ 46.7/t in 4Q15, negatively impacted prices in 4Q15 by US$ 2.4/t compared to a negative impact of US$ 1.1/t in 3Q15.

 

·                  Quarter-lagged contracts, priced at US$ 56.7/t based on the average prices for Jun-Jul-Aug, positively impacted prices in 4Q15 by US$ 1.1/t compared to a positive impact of US$ 0.2/t in 3Q15.

 

In 4Q15, iron ore sales of 33.3 Mt, or 42% of Vale’s sales mix, were recorded under the provisional pricing system, which was set at the end of 4Q15 at US$ 41.0/t. The final prices of these sales and the required adjustment to sales revenues will be determined and recorded in 1Q16.

 

The decrease in bunker oil prices positively impacted the settlement of FOB prices in 4Q15 by US$ 1.0/t compared to a reduction of US$ 1.3/t in 3Q15. Bunker oil prices impacted the settlement of FOB sales prices as the decrease in bunker oil prices led to a lower freight deduction from the IODEX CFR reference price used to determine the FOB price.

 

Price realization — iron ore fines

 

 

36



Table of Contents

 

Average sale price

 

US$/ metric ton

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Iron ore - Metal Bulletin 65% index

 

50.09

 

62.11

 

82.90

 

62.12

 

105.82

 

Iron ore - Platts’s 62% IODEX

 

46.65

 

54.90

 

74.28

 

55.50

 

96.70

 

Iron ore fines CFR reference price (dmt)

 

45.10

 

56.00

 

75.50

 

54.60

 

92.70

 

Iron ore fines CFR/FOB realized price

 

37.18

 

46.48

 

61.21

 

44.61

 

75.43

 

ROM

 

7.99

 

6.77

 

11.82

 

8.31

 

15.28

 

Pellets CFR/FOB (wmt)

 

71.98

 

73.80

 

100.11

 

77.78

 

120.48

 

Manganese ore

 

7.04

 

52.14

 

111.11

 

58.44

 

118.15

 

Ferroalloys

 

750.00

 

836.67

 

1,083.33

 

904.16

 

1,125.83

 

 

COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

Costs for iron ore fines amounted to US$ 1.924 billion (or US$ 2.183 billion with depreciation charges) in 4Q15. Costs decreased by US$ 131 million when compared to 3Q15 after deducting the effects of higher sales volumes (US$ 280 million) and exchange rates variations (-US$ 63 million). The decrease was mainly driven by lower freight costs (-US$ 122 million), lower materials costs (-US$ 17 million), and lower energy costs (-US$ 9 million).

 

Energy (electricity, diesel and gas) totaled US$ 118 million in 4T15 against US$ 112 million in 3T15. Oil costs, more specifically, in the form of diesel totaled US$ 108 million in 4Q15 against US$ 92 million in 3Q15. Costs increased by US$ 13 million in 4Q15 after adjusting for higher volumes (US$ 10 million) and exchange rates variations (-US$ 7 million). Falling oil prices had a limited positive impact on fuel costs, since there is no direct correlation between prices of diesel in Brazil and international oil prices.

 

Maritime freight costs, which are fully accrued as cost of goods sold, totaled US$ 757 million in 4Q15, showing a decrease of US$ 122 million after adjusting for higher volumes (US$ 143 million) as a result of lower freight rates and lower bunker oil prices when compared to 3Q15.

 

Unit freight cost per iron ore metric ton was US$ 14.1/t in 4Q15, US$ 2.3/t lower than the US$ 16.4/t recorded in 3Q15. This US$ 2.3/t decrease is explained by the positive impact of lower bunker oil prices in our chartering contracts and higher exposure to the freight spot market. Vale’s average bunker oil price decreased from US$ 296.6/t in 3Q15 to US$ 235.0/t in 4Q15.

 

The impact of the outstanding bunker oil hedge position accounted for as “hedge accounting” in Vale’s unit freight cost was US$ 2.5/t with the final settlement of 472,500 tons of bunker oil derivative contracts from the 472,500 tons of contracts that were outstanding at the end of September 2015, totaling a negative EBITDA impact of US$ 134 million. EBITDA will be favourably impacted as of next year as there will be no hedge accounting impact in 2016. For further details, please refer to the ‘The Impact of Bunker Oil Hedging on Vale’s Financial Performance’ box on page 49.

 

The acquisition of products (cost of ore acquired from third parties) amounted to US$ 44 million on 2.8 Mt sold in 4Q15. On a per-ton basis, cost of ore acquired from third parties

 

37



Table of Contents

 

decreased from US$ 17.7/t in 3Q15 to US$ 15.9/t in 4Q15. Other operational costs amounted to US$ 160 million, decreasing from US$ 177 million in 3Q15.

 

Iron ore COGS - 3Q15 x 4Q15

 

 

 

 

 

Variance drivers

 

 

 

 

 

US$ million

 

3Q15

 

Volume

 

Exchange
Rate

 

Others

 

Total Variation
3Q15 x 4Q15

 

4Q15

 

Personnel

 

185

 

20

 

(14

)

4

 

10

 

195

 

Outsourced services and Materials

 

274

 

31

 

(17

)

(8

)

6

 

280

 

Energy (electricity, diesel & gas)

 

112

 

12

 

(9

)

3

 

6

 

118

 

Acquisition of products

 

40

 

9

 

 

(5

)

4

 

44

 

Maintenance

 

205

 

22

 

(19

)

28

 

31

 

236

 

Maritime Freight

 

736

 

143

 

 

(122

)

21

 

757

 

Bunker oil hedge

 

109

 

21

 

 

4

 

25

 

134

 

Other Operational

 

177

 

22

 

(4

)

(35

)

(17

)

160

 

Total costs before depreciation and amortization

 

1,838

 

280

 

(63

)

(131

)

86

 

1,924

 

Depreciation

 

269

 

30

 

(18

)

(22

)

(10

)

259

 

Total

 

2,107

 

310

 

(81

)

(153

)

76

 

2,183

 

 

C1 CASH COST

 

Total C1 cash cost at the port  (mine, plant, railroad and port, ex-royalties) was US$ 906 million after deducting depreciation of US$ 259 million, iron ore acquired from third parties of US$ 44 million, iron ore freight costs of US$ 757 million and bunker oil hedge accounting effects of US$ 134 million.

 

C1 cash cost FOB port per metric ton of iron ore fines (ex-ROM and ex-royalties) was US$ 11.9/t in 4Q15 vs. US$ 12.7/t in 3Q15, reducing US$ 0.8/t mostly due to the depreciation of the BRL against the USD. C1 cash cost FOB port per metric ton of iron ore fines in BRL increased slightly from R$ 45.2/t in 3Q15 to R$ 45.6/t in 4Q15 (or R$ 44.9/t after excluding the negative effect of R$ 55.5 million of the collective bargain agreement settled with our employees in Brazil).

 

Iron ore expenses, net of depreciation, excluding the positive effect of US$ 322 million of the asset retirement obligation, amounted to US$ 270 million in 4Q15 vs. the US$ 218 million recorded in 3Q15. Expenses increased by US$ 62 million when compared to 3Q15 after adjusting for the effects of exchange rates (-US$ 10 million). R&D amounted to US$ 26 million, the same as in 3Q15. Pre-operating and stoppage expenses, net of depreciation, amounted to US$ 50 million, US$ 27 million higher than the US$ 23 million recorded in 3Q15, mainly due to stoppage expenses in the Southeastern Mining System due to the rupture of the Samarco tailings dam.

 

38



Table of Contents

 

Unit cash costs and expenses (adjusted for quality and moisture, excluding ore from third parties, ROM and the positive effect of the ARO) landed in China decreased from US$ 34.2/t in 3Q15 to US$ 32.0/t in 4Q15.

 

Evolution of iron ore fines cash cost, freight and expenses

 

 

Cost and expenses landed in China for iron ore fines

 

 

39



Table of Contents

 

Iron ore fines cash cost and freight

 

 

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Costs (US$ million)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COGS, less depreciation and amortization

 

1,924 

 

1,838 

 

2,831 

 

7,604 

 

9,532 

 

Costs of ore acquired from third parties

 

44 

 

40 

 

89 

 

210 

 

443 

 

Maritime freight

 

757 

 

736 

 

1,037 

 

2,825 

 

3,325 

 

Bunker oil hedge

 

134 

 

109 

 

 

412 

 

 

One-off items

 

 

 

48 

 

 

48 

 

FOB at port costs (ex-ROM and ex-third party ores)(1)

 

989 

 

953 

 

1,657 

 

4,157 

 

5,716 

 

FOB at port costs (ex-ROM, ex-third party ores and ex-royalties)

 

906 

 

868 

 

1,534 

 

3,825 

 

5,079 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales volumes (Mt)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total iron ore volume sold

 

80.8 

 

74.1 

 

78.2 

 

288.7 

 

270.0 

 

Volume acquired from third parties

 

2.8 

 

2.3 

 

3.2 

 

11.1 

 

12.2 

 

Total ROM volume sold

 

1.6 

 

3.5 

 

3.6 

 

12.3 

 

14.1 

 

  Volume sold of Vale’s own ore (ex-ROM)

 

76.4 

 

68.3 

 

71.4 

 

265.3 

 

243.7 

 

  % of CFR sales

 

68.0

%

64.0

%

64.2

%

64.1

%

57.4

%

  % of FOB sales

 

32.0

%

38.0

%

35.8

%

35.9

%

42.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vale’s iron ore cash cost (ex-ROM, ex-royalties), FOB (US$ /t)

 

11.9 

 

12.7 

 

21.5 

 

14.4 

 

20.8 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freight

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volume CFR (Mt)

 

53.6 

 

44.9 

 

47.9 

 

177.1 

 

146.9 

 

Vale’s iron ore unit freight cost (US$/t)

 

16.6 

 

18.8 

 

21.7 

 

18.3 

 

22.6 

 

Vale’s iron ore unit freight cost (ex- bunker oil hedge) (US$/t)

 

14.1 

 

16.4 

 

21.7 

 

16.0 

 

22.6 

 

 

Iron ore fines unit cost + expenses adjusted for quality landed in China

 

US$/t

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Vale’s iron ore cash cost (ex-ROM, ex-royalties), FOB (US$ /t)

 

11.9 

 

12.7 

 

21.5 

 

14.4 

 

20.8 

 

Iron ore fines freight cost (ex-bunker oil hedge)

 

14.1 

 

16.4 

 

21.7 

 

16.0 

 

22.6 

 

Iron ore fines expenses(1) & royalties

 

4.6 

 

4.4 

 

11.0 

 

4.9 

 

9.7 

 

Iron ore fines moisture adjustment

 

2.6 

 

2.8 

 

4.7 

 

3.0 

 

4.8 

 

Iron ore fines quality adjustment

 

-1.1 

 

-2.1 

 

0.9 

 

-1.9 

 

0.9 

 

Iron ore fines unit cost + expenses landed in China (US$/dmt)

 

32.0 

 

34.2 

 

59.8 

 

36.4 

 

58.9 

 

 


(1) Net of depreciation, excluding  the positive one-off effect of the ARO adjustment.

 

Iron Ore Fines Costs and Expenses in BRL

 

R$/t

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Costs

 

45.6 

 

45.2 

 

54.5 

 

47.9

 

50.1 

 

Expenses(1)

 

12.9 

 

10.8 

 

16.0 

 

12.2 

 

22.6 

 

Total

 

58.5 

 

56.0 

 

70.5 

 

60.1 

 

72.7 

 

 


(1) Net of depreciation.

 

Iron ore pellets

 

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE

 

Adjusted EBITDA for pellets was US$ 1.685 billion in 2015, 43.5% lower than the US$ 2.981 billion recorded in 2014. The decrease of US$ 1.296 billion was mainly a result of lower sales prices (US$ 1.986 billion) which were partially offset by higher sales volumes (US$ 204 million), lower costs (US$ 163 million) and exchange rate variations (US$ 551 million).

 

40



Table of Contents

 

Net sales revenues for pellets were US$ 3.600 billion in 2015, 31.6% lower than in 2014, mainly due to the decrease in sales prices, from US$ 120.48 per metric ton in 2014 to US$ 77.8 per metric ton in 2015. Sales prices negatively impacted sales revenues by US$ 1.986 billion in 2015 compared with 2014. Sales volumes increased to 46.28 Mt vs. 43.68 Mt in 2014 as a result of the ramp-up of Tubarão VIII pellet plant.

 

Costs for pellets totaled US$ 2.121 billion in 2015 (or US$ 2.436 billion with depreciation charges). Costs decreased by US$ 162 million when compared to 2014 after adjusting for the effects of higher volumes (US$ 119 million) and exchange rate variations (-US$ 540 million). This decrease is mainly due to lower leasing costs (-US$ 63 million), lower diesel costs (-US$ 57 million) and lower materials costs (-US$ 45 million).

 

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE

 

Adjusted EBITDA for pellets in 4Q15 was US$ 336 million, compared to the US$ 382 million in 3Q15. Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by the lower sales prices (-US$ 18 million), lower sales volumes (-US$ 32 million) and higher costs (-US$ 20 million) in 4Q15 vs. 3Q15. The unfavorable impacts were partly offset by exchange rate variations (US$ 22 million) and higher dividends received from the leased pelletizing plants (US$ 22 million).

 

Net sales revenues for pellets amounted to US$ 780 million in 4Q15, decreasing US$ 103 million from the US$ 883 million recorded in 3Q15 as a result of the lower sales prices of US$ 72.0 per ton in 4Q15 vs. US$ 73.8 /t in 3Q15 and of the 1.2 Mt decrease in sales volumes to 10.8 Mt in 4Q15 from 12.0 Mt in 3Q15. Sales volumes decreased by 1.8 Mt in 4Q15 vs. 4Q14.

 

Production reached 10.4 Mt in 4Q15, 1.8 Mt lower than in 3Q15 mainly due to scheduled maintenance stoppages in some plants.

 

Pellet CFR/FOB prices decreased by US$ 1.8/t, from US$ 73.8/t in 3Q15 to US$ 72.0 per metric ton in 4Q15, whereas the Platt’s IODEX iron ore reference price (CFR China) decreased by US$ 8.3/t in the quarter.

 

The decrease in Vale´s realized pellet price was less than the decrease in the average Platts IODEX as a result of higher pellet premiums and the positive impact of pricing systems.

 

CFR pellet sales of 2.4 Mt in 4Q15 represented 22% of total pellets sales and were 0.7 Mt lower than in 3Q15. FOB pellet sales decreased from 8.9 Mt in 3Q15 to 8.5 Mt in 4Q15.

 

Pellet costs totaled US$ 453 million (or US$ 524 million with depreciation charges) in 4Q15. Costs increased by US$ 20 million when compared to 3Q15 after adjusting for the effects of lower volumes (-US$ 53 million) and exchange rate variations (-US$ 22 million).

 

41



Table of Contents

 

The increase in pellets costs is mainly due to higher maintenance costs (US$ 9 million) and higher leasing costs (US$ 7 million). Pre-operating and stoppage expenses for pellets were US$ 5 million in 4Q15, in line with the previous quarter.

 

EBITDA unit margin for pellets ex-Samarco was US$ 31.0/t in 4Q15, US$ 0.9/t lower than in 3Q15 mainly due to the decrease in sales prices (-US$ 18 million).

 

Pellets - EBITDA ex-Samarco

 

 

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

 

 

US$ million

 

US$/wmt

 

US$ million

 

US$/wmt

 

Gross Revenues / Realized Price

 

806

 

74.4

 

908

 

75.9

 

Net Revenues / Realized Price

 

780

 

72.0

 

883

 

73.8

 

Dividends Received (Leased pelletizing plants) ex-Samarco

 

22

 

2.0

 

 

 

Cash Costs (Iron ore, leasing, freight, overhead, energy and other)

 

-453

 

-41.8

 

-508

 

-42.5

 

Expenses (SG&A, R&D and other)

 

-13

 

-1.2

 

7

 

0.6

 

EBITDA ex-Samarco

 

336

 

31.0

 

382

 

31.9

 

 

Manganese and ferroalloys

 

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE

 

Adjusted EBITDA of manganese and ferroalloys was negative US$ 31 million in 2015, US$ 126 million lower than in 2014, mainly due to lower prices (US$ 98 million), lower volumes (US$ 73 million) and higher costs (US$ 46 million) which were partially offset by exchange rates variations (US$ 82 million) and expenses reductions (US$ 9 million).

 

Net sales revenues for manganese decreased to US$ 100 million in 2015, down from US$ 222 million in 2014, due to the effect of lower prices (US$ 108 million) and lower sales volumes (US$ 14 million). In 2015, manganese ore production totaled to 2.441 Mt, slightly higher than in 2014.

 

Net sales revenues for ferroalloys decreased in 2015 to US$ 62 million from US$ 170 million in 2014, mainly due to the effect of lower sales volumes (US$ 118 million) and lower prices. In 2015, the output of ferroalloys was 99,000 t, significantly lower than in 2014.

 

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE

 

Adjusted EBITDA of Manganese ore and ferroalloys was negative US$ 34 million in 4Q15, US$ 23 million lower than the negative US$ 11 million in 3Q15, mainly due to the impact of provisional prices from previous quarters (-US$ 28 million), which were partially offset by exchange rate variations (US$ 2 million) and higher sales volumes (US$ 1 million).

 

Net sales revenues for manganese decreased to US$ 4 million from US$ 23 million in 3Q15 due to lower sales prices. In 4Q15, production of manganese ore reached 651,000 t, compared to 644,000 t in 3Q15 and 723,000 t in 4Q14.

 

42



Table of Contents

 

Net sales revenues for ferroalloys amounted to US$ 9 million, increasing US$ 6 million from the US$ 3 million in 3Q15, due to higher sales volumes. Ferroalloys production decreased to 20,000 t in 4Q15 from the 21,000 t recorded in 3Q15.

 

Market outlook - iron ore

 

The price of iron ore averaged US$ 55.5/t in 2015, 42% lower than in 2014. The price reduction was driven by an oversupply of iron ore amid lower than expected steel production in China and in the rest of the world.

 

The price of iron ore decreased 15%, from US$ 54.90/t in 3Q15 to US$ 46.65/t in 4Q15, as steel production deteriorated whilst iron ore supply increased driven by seasonality factors.

 

According to the World Steel Association (WSA), world crude steel production totaled 1.622Mt in 2015, declining 2.8% vs. 2014. China’s crude steel production totaled 803.8Mt, declining 2.3% year-on-year. The annual production decline was the first one since 1981 as the country continues its transition towards an economy more reliant on domestic consumption and services.

 

China’s GDP grew 6.9% in 2015, slowing down mainly as a result of a decline in fixed asset investments, and growing only 10% year-on-year vs. 15.7% growth in 2014. Chinese steel demand declined, leading steel mills to rely more on overseas market to maintain their production levels. Net exports of finished steel reached a record 100Mt, rising 25.5% year-on-year, in 2015.

 

The increasing exports from China impacted steel production in other regions such as the Middle East, South East Asia, Europe, where production contracted by 0.5%, 3.6% and 1.8% year-on-year respectively, and to a certain extent India. The excess supply with the high export volumes from China translated into lower worldwide steel prices.

 

The seaborne iron ore supply amounted to roughly 1.410 Mt in 2015, increasing 30 Mt, or approximately 2% year-on-year with additional production from major iron ore players, such as Brazil and Australia. Brazil, Australia, South Africa and Peru increased their exports to China whilst all other regions together reduced exports by 62 Mt, representing a 39% year-on-year reduction.

 

2016 should still be a challenging year for iron ore producers as no major stimulus is expected from the Chinese government to boost investments. Steel demand and production should remain mild, posing additional challenges for higher cost iron ore producers.

 

43



Table of Contents

 

Volume sold by destination — Iron ore and pellets

 

‘000 metric tons

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

%

 

2014 

 

%

 

Americas

 

8,549

 

10,760

 

11,590

 

41,187

 

12.3

 

44,071

 

14.1

 

Brazil

 

7,346

 

9,363

 

10,078

 

35,665

 

10.6

 

37,623

 

12.0

 

Others

 

1,203

 

1,397

 

1,512

 

5,522

 

1.6

 

6,448

 

2.1

 

Asia

 

65,574

 

59,597

 

62,563

 

229,268

 

68.4

 

208,536

 

66.5

 

China

 

52,898

 

46,512

 

46,411

 

179,470

 

53.6

 

156,692

 

50.0

 

Japan

 

7,782

 

8,548

 

7,505

 

29,499

 

8.8

 

27,229

 

8.7

 

Others

 

4,894

 

4,537

 

8,648

 

20,299

 

6.1

 

24,615

 

7.8

 

Europe

 

15,006

 

13,014

 

13,209

 

53,385

 

15.9

 

49,042

 

15.6

 

Germany

 

5,471

 

5,219

 

4,660

 

21,991

 

6.6

 

19,075

 

6.1

 

France

 

1,474

 

1,497

 

2,103

 

5,814

 

1.7

 

6,242

 

2.0

 

Others

 

8,061

 

6,298

 

6,446

 

25,580

 

7.6

 

23,725

 

7.6

 

Middle East

 

2,095

 

2,401

 

2,337

 

9,745

 

2.9

 

8,694

 

2.8

 

Rest of the World

 

453

 

265

 

1,141

 

1,360

 

0.4

 

3,291

 

1.0

 

Total

 

91,677

 

86,037

 

90,841

 

334,946

 

100.0

 

313,634

 

100.0

 

 

Selected financial indicators - Ferrous minerals

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Net Revenues

 

3,830

 

4,312

 

6,116

 

16,562

 

25,697

 

Costs(1)

 

(2,497

)

(2,447

)

(3,792

)

(10,241

)

(13,063

)

Expenses(1)

 

120

 

(153

)

(504

)

(380

)

(1,289

)

Pre-operating and stoppage expenses(1)

 

(61

)

(32

)

(48

)

(169

)

(221

)

R&D expenses

 

(27

)

(28

)

(117

)

(128

)

(329

)

Dividends received

 

44

 

 

47

 

255

 

526

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

1,409

 

1,652

 

1,702

 

5,899

 

11,321

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(388

)

(402

)

(548

)

(1,669

)

(1,930

)

Adjusted EBIT

 

977

 

1,250

 

1,107

 

3,975

 

8,865

 

Adjusted EBIT margin (%)

 

25.5

 

29.0

 

18.1

 

24.0

 

34.5

 

 


(1) Net of depreciation and amortization.

 

Selected financial indicators - Iron ore fines (excluding third party ores)

 

 

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (US$ million)

 

1,040

 

1,180

 

1,060

 

3,912

 

7,759

 

Volume Sold (Mt)

 

76.432

 

68.261

 

71.394

 

265.313

 

243.650

 

Adjusted EBITDA (US$/t)

 

13.61

 

17.29

 

14.84

 

14.75

 

31.85

 

 

Selected financial indicators - Pellets (excluding Samarco)

 

 

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (US$ million)

 

336

 

382

 

526

 

1,539 

 

2,579

 

Volume Sold (Mt)

 

10.837

 

11.961

 

12.686

 

46.284

 

43.682

 

Adjusted EBITDA (US$/t)

 

31.00

 

31.94

 

41.46

 

33.24

 

59.04

 

 

Selected financial indicators - Iron ore fines and Pellets

 

 

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (US$ million)

 

1,376

 

1,562

 

1,586

 

5,451 

 

10,338

 

Volume Sold (Mt)

 

87.269

 

80.222

 

84.080

 

311.598

 

287.332

 

Adjusted EBITDA (US$/t)

 

15.77

 

19.47

 

18.86

 

17.49

 

35.98

 

 

44



Table of Contents

 

MANAGERIAL ALLOCATION CHANGES

 

Vale will promote changes in its reporting estimates beginning 2016. These changes will not modify absolute cost and expense levels but will alter the allocation of costs and expenses by nature or business segments. The main impact of these changes will be in the allocation of costs between (i) SG&A, (ii) ICMS; and (iii) distribution costs intra business unit. The impacts of the proposed changes are as follows:

 

(i) SG&A

 

Currently a disproportionate amount of Vale’s SG&A expenses in Brazil is allocated to the iron ore division, more specifically to iron ore fines. Upon re-assessing the allocation of SG&A across business segments, a decision was made on the use of different allocation criteria from 1Q16 onwards

 

(ii) ICMS

 

ICMS is a kind of value-added tax in Brazil. Vale is exposed to different ICMS tax regimes in the states where its operations are located. In general ICMS is credited on the acquisition of goods and services and realized upon sales into the domestic market, negotiations of credits with governments and third parties. Historically Vale has accumulated ICMS tax credits without being able to use them fully since exports from Brazil are exempted from the ICMS charge.

 

Given the continuous accumulation of ICMS without use, Vale periodically impairs the excessive tax credits and records the respective losses under ‘other expenses account’.

 

In order to reflect the regular nature of the ICMS tax credit impairment, Vale will record them as Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) on a more regular basis as of 1Q16, thus increasing COGS but at the same time not charging ‘other expenses account’.

 

The above mentioned changes will not alter absolute levels of costs and expenses for Vale’s business units as a whole, being only a slightly relocation of absolute amounts between business units and from expenses to costs.

 

(iii) DISTRIBUTION COSTS

 

Currently, Vale includes its distribution costs into its C1 cash cost FOB port in Brazil. However, a higher percentage of these distribution costs are being incurred overseas after the implementation of the pellet plant in Oman, the distribution center in Malaysia and the more frequent utilization of ports in China for blending iron ore.

 

45



Table of Contents

 

In order to adjust for these recent changes in its supply chain, Vale will report the distribution costs incurred in Oman, Malaysia, China and other facilities outside Brazil as a separate line item, named “Distribution Costs”. Maritime freight costs and distribution costs will be reported separately.

 

Iron ore fines unit cost + expenses adjusted for quality landed in China — After accounting reporting changes

 

US$/t

 

1Q15

 

2Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q15

 

2015

 

Vale’s iron ore cash cost (ex-ROM, ex-royalties), FOB (US$ /t)

 

18.6

 

16.1

 

13.1

 

12.1

 

14.7

 

Iron ore fines freight cost (ex-bunker oil hedge)

 

17.2

 

16.8

 

16.4

 

14.1

 

16.0

 

Distribution costs

 

0.4

 

0.5

 

0.3

 

0.5

 

0.4

 

Iron ore fines expenses(1) & royalties

 

4.6

 

4.2

 

3.6

 

3.9

 

4.1

 

Iron ore fines moisture adjustment

 

3.4

 

3.1

 

2.8

 

2.5

 

3.0

 

Iron ore fines quality adjustment

 

-1.3

 

-2.0

 

-2.1

 

-1.1

 

-1.9

 

Iron ore fines unit cost + expenses landed in China (US$/dmt)

 

42.9

 

38.7

 

34.1

 

32.0

 

36.3

 

 


(1) Net of depreciation

 

46



Table of Contents

 

THE IMPACT OF BUNKER HEDGING ON VALE’S FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

 

The total effect of bunker oil prices on Vale’s financial performance is dependent on the bunker oil hedge previously taken out by Vale.  Vale stopped contracting bunker oil hedges since the structural decline in oil prices, but still faces the impact of the outstanding hedge positions. However, costs will no longer be impacted in 2016 since all outstanding bunker oil exposure recorded under hedge accounting program was settled in 4Q15.

 

As previously discussed, bunker oil hedges are recorded as follows:

 

(i)                                     The hedge of the bunker oil exposure associated with our FOB and domestics sales is marked-to-market every quarter and recorded as financial results.

 

(ii)                                  The hedge of the bunker oil exposure associated with our CFR sales is recorded as hedge accounting, being marked-to-market every quarter and recorded in other comprehensive income and impacting costs of goods sold only at the actual settlement dates.

 

Impact of bunker oil hedging in Vale’s financial performance

 

 

 

Concept

 

Current
impact

 

Drivers of future impact

 

Freight
contract
type

 

Hedge
accounting

 

Impact of
derivative positions
in P/L statement

 

Impact incurred
in 4Q15 P/L
statement

 

Type of
Instrument

 

Bunker oil derivative
open positions
(,000 tons)

 

Average strike
price (US$/t)

 

CFR

 

Yes

 

Impact on COGS at settlement date

 

US$2.5/t (US$134 million) increase on iron ore COGS

 

NA

 

0

 

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOB

 

No

 

Impact on financial results

 

US$242 million decrease on financial results

 

Forward

 

2,206

 

508

 

 

Zero Cost Collar

 

2,042

 

314 - 385

 

 

More specifically, the impact of the hedged positions in Vale’s results can be summarized as follows:

 

(i)                                     Impact on the financial statements related to the derivatives under Vale’s hedge accounting program:

 

a.              In 4Q15: freight costs increased by US$ 2.5/t with the settlement of derivatives contracts in 4Q15, driving COGS up.

 

47



Table of Contents

 

b.              In 1Q16 and subsequent quarters: no impact

 

(ii)                                  Impact on the financial statements related to the trades that are not under Vale´s hedge accounting program:

 

a.              In 4Q15: a negative impact of US$ 242 million recognized in 4Q15 as financial expenses due to the realized loss on the settlements which occurred in the quarter and on the mark-to-market of the open positions on December 31st, 2015.

 

b.              In 1Q16 and subsequent quarters: financial results will be impacted by the changes in the mark-to-market of the open derivative positions at the end of each quarter and by the gains or losses related to the settlements recorded in each quarter.

 

48



Table of Contents

 

SAMARCO DAM FAILURE

 

On November 5, 2015, one of Samarco´s sand tailings dam (Fundão) failed unexpectedly, sending 32Mm(3) tailings downstream and impacting several communities including the community at Bento Rodrigues, a small mining town of 600 people. The dam failure resulted in 17 fatalities, with 2 people still missing, and caused extensive property and environmental damage to the affected areas in the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo.

 

Immediately after the dam failure, together with the Civil Defense, Fire Department, Military Police and other authorities, Samarco provided first aid, food, water, housing, social assistance and financial aid to hundreds of affected families and individuals. As of now, Samarco has already: (i) finished the recovery of all the seven bridges impacted by the dam failure; (ii) accommodated 369 families who lost their homes (100%); (iii) distributed 2,907 financial-aid cards for residents of the affected communities (75% of total affected families); (iv) provided psychological and social support for 1,185 families; (v) distributed 553 million liters of drinkable water and 59 million liters of mineral water. Both Vale and BHP Billiton, Samarco’s shareholders, have been actively involved in supporting Samarco during this crisis.

 

Besides the community and welfare initiatives, Samarco has been monitoring the affected area and carrying out emergency work to contain any tailings movement, reinforcing the dams’ and dikes’ structures to ensure the safety of the region.

 

As well as cooperating with the investigations conducted by the Civil & Federal Police, and also the public prosecutors, Samarco, together with its shareholders, also engaged a specialized firm to conduct an external investigation.  There is no set date for the completion of the report, due to the complexity of the event.

 

In order to assess the environmental and socio-economic impacts of the dam failure and assist in the development of a remediation plan, Samarco has engaged two external experts: a world class consulting specialist in engineering, environment and environmental emergencies; and another international firm specialized in environmental, health & safety, social and security services. The above-refferred plan will also include programs for the recovery of regional economic activity.

 

The impact of the dam failure on Samarco’s activities was mainly the immediate stoppage of its mining operations in the state of Minas Gerais. Vale’s operation in the Mariana Complex, near to Samarco’s mining area, was also negatively impacted with the destruction of a major conveyor belt. Consequently, Vale´s production in the Mariana region was 3Mt lower in 4Q15 (which was offset by the increase in output from other mines) and will probably be 9Mt lower in 2016 (which will be offset by the increase in output from other mines). Vale has also

 

49



Table of Contents

 

interrupted the sale of its ROM to Samarco’s processing plant in Minas Gerais.

 

As a consequence of the Fundão dam failure, Samarco incurred in expenses, wrote off assets and recognized provisions for remediation, which affected its balance sheet and income statement.  Vale accounts for Samarco’s results under the equity method, and, therefore, the impacts of Samarco´s dam failure on Vale´s balance sheet and income statement are limited to Vale´s interest in Samarco´s capital as per the Brazilian Corporation Law.  Vale’s investment in Samarco was reduced to zero and no liability was recognized in Vale’s financial statements. The dam failure had no effect on Vale’s cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2015.(24).

 

Vale S.A. was summoned by the Federal Union, the States of Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo, and other entities in a public civil action filed at the 12ª Vara Federal of Belo Horizonte. The action, which was brought against Samarco S.A. (“Samarco”) and its shareholders, BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda. (“BHP”) and Vale, requests (i) a freeze on transfer of the mining rights of the three respondents, without, however, limiting their commercial and production activities and (ii) remediation of the damages caused by the failure of the Samarco  Fundão dam. The claimants valued the action at R$ 20.2 billion. Vale has adopted the necessary measures to guarantee its right of defense.

 


(24)  For more details on accounting effects, please refer to IFRS note 4.

 

50



Table of Contents

 

Base Metals

 

Annual performance

 

Base Metals adjusted EBITDA totaled US$ 1.388 billion in 2015, representing a decrease of US$ 1.133 billion from the US$ 2.521 billion recorded in 2014. The decrease was mainly due to lower base metals prices (US$ 2.195 billion) and higher costs (US$ 137 million), which were partly offset by favorable exchange rate variations (US$ 594 million) and higher volumes (US$ 498 million).

 

SALES REVENUES AND VOLUME

 

Gross sales from base metals and their by-products totaled US$ 6.172 billion in 2015 against US$ 7.694 billion in 2014. The decrease was mainly driven by lower nickel prices (US$ 1.394 billion) and lower copper prices (US$ 641 million), which were partially offset by higher sales of nickel (US$ 338 million) and copper (US$ 246 million).

 

Nickel production achieved the new annual record of 291,000 t, 16,000 t higher than in 2014, as a result of the higher production at VNC and Onça Puma. Copper production, supported by Salobo’s ramp-up, totaled 423,800 t, 44,100 t higher than in 2014 and a new annual record. Gold production reached a record 420,100 troy ounces (oz) in 2015, an all-time record, with the continued ramp-up of Salobo.

 

COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

Base metals COGS were US$ 4.296 billion (US$ 5.863 billion including depreciation). After adjusting for the effects of volumes (US$ 168 million) and exchange rate variations (-US$ 594 million), costs increased by US$ 137 million vs. 2014. The primary reason for the higher cost was the increased allocation of VNC pre-operating expenses to COGS.

 

SG&A and other expenses, excluding depreciation, were a positive US$ 44 million in 2015 due to the positive effect of US$ 230 million from the gold stream transaction recorded in the 1Q15. SG&A and other expenses, excluding the positive effects of insurance (US$ 276 million) in 2014 and of the gold streaming transaction in 1Q15, remained stable in 2015 vs. 2014.

 

Pre-operating and stoppage expenses, net of depreciation, totaled US$ 412 million, US$ 117 million lower than in 2014, mainly reflecting the lower expenses with VNC (US$ 129 million) and Salobo (US$ 15 million), which were partially offset by higher expenses in Long Harbour (US$ 26 million).

 

51



Table of Contents

 

Quarterly performance

 

Adjusted EBITDA totaled US$ 111 million in 4Q15, decreasing US$ 82 million vs. 3Q15 mainly as a result of lower prices (US$ 158 million) and the write-off of materials inventories related to the initial construction of Onça Puma and Salobo of -US$ 31 million, which were partly compensated by higher sales volumes (US$ 93 million) and favorable exchange rates variation (US$ 30 million). Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by VNC’s EBITDA of -US$ 107 million and by the provisional copper price adjustments of -US$ 60 million.

 

SALES REVENUES AND VOLUMES

 

Nickel gross sales revenues totaled US$ 782 million in 4Q15, in line with 3Q15. The negative impact of lower nickel realized prices in 4Q15 (US$ 112 million) was offset by higher sales volumes (US$ 109 million). Sales volumes were 84 kt in 4Q15, 12 kt higher than in 3Q15.

 

Copper gross sales revenues totaled US$ 413 million in 4Q15, increasing 12.2% vs. 3Q15, mainly as a result of higher volumes (US$ 54 million). Copper sales volumes totaled 108 kt in 4Q15 vs. 94 kt in 3Q15.

 

PGMs (platinum group metals) gross sales revenues totaled US$ 96 million in 4Q15, increasing 62.7% vs. 3Q15, due to higher sales volumes of 140 koz in 4Q15 vs. 83 koz in 3Q15. PGMs sales volumes increased as Sudbury operated without the major maintenance stoppage which occurred in the third quarter.

 

Gold gross sales revenues totaled US$ 122 million in 4Q15, 6.1% higher than in 3Q15 as a result of higher sales volumes of 114 koz in 4Q15 vs. 105 koz in 3Q15.

 

Gross operating revenue by product

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Nickel

 

782

 

785

 

1,064

 

3,412

 

4,468

 

Copper

 

413

 

368

 

556

 

1,728

 

2,122

 

PGMs

 

96

 

59

 

152

 

404

 

564

 

Gold

 

122

 

115

 

115

 

477

 

418

 

Silver

 

8

 

7

 

11

 

31

 

37

 

Others

 

37

 

22

 

50

 

120

 

85

 

Total

 

1,458

 

1,355

 

1,948

 

6,172

 

7,694

 

 

NICKEL REALIZED PRICES

 

Nickel realized price was US$ 9,310/t, US$ 127/t lower than the average nickel LME price of US$ 9,437/t in 4Q15.

 

Vale’s nickel products are divided in two categories, refined nickel (pellets, powder, cathode, FeNi, Utility Nickel™ and Tonimet™) and intermediates (concentrates, matte, NiO and NHC).

 

52



Table of Contents

 

Refined nickel products have greater nickel content, typically commanding a premium over the average LME nickel price, whereas nickel intermediates are less pure as they are only partially processed.  Due to this difference, intermediate products are sold at a discount.  The amount of the discount will vary depending on the amount of processing still required, product forms and level of impurities. The sales product mix is also an important driver of nickel price realization. Refined nickel sales accounted for 87% of total nickel sales in 4Q15; with intermediate sales accounting for the balance. This was the same ratio as in 3Q15.

 

The realized nickel price differed from the average LME price in 4Q15 based on the following impacts:

 

·                  Premium for refined finished nickel products averaging US$ 313/t, with an impact on the aggregate realized nickel price of US$ 270/t;

 

·                  Discount for intermediate nickel products averaging US$ 2,943/t, with an impact on the aggregate realized nickel price of -US$ 397/t.

 

Price realization - nickel

 

 

COPPER REALIZED PRICES

 

Copper realized price was US$ 3,824/t, US$ 1,068/t lower than the average copper LME price of US$ 4,892/t in 4Q15. Vale’s copper products are mostly intermediate forms of copper, predominately in the form of concentrate which is sold at a discount to the LME. These

 

53



Table of Contents

 

products are sold on provisional pricing during the quarter with final prices determined at a future period, generally one to four months forward(25).

 

The realized copper price differed from the average LME price in 4Q15 based on the following impacts:

 

·                  Current period price adjustments: mark-to-market of invoices still open in the quarter based on the copper price forward curve(26) at the end of the quarter (-US$ 317/t).

 

·                  Prior period price adjustments: variance between the price used in final invoices (and on the mark-to-market of invoices from previous quarters still open at the end of the current quarter) and the provisional prices used for sales in previous quarters (US$ -239/t).

 

·                  TC/RCs, penalties, premiums and discounts for intermediate products (-US$ 512/t).

 

Price realization — copper

 

 

The total impact of the provisional pricing system (mark-to-market of open invoices and differences between provisional and final prices) on sales revenues was US$ 60 million as the net result of: (i) current period price adjustment for the mark-to-market of invoices still open in the quarter based on the copper price forward curve (-US$ 317/t on 108 kt(27) of copper sales volumes, resulting in -US$ 34 million); and (ii) prior period price adjustment based on the variance between the price used in final invoices and provisional prices used in previous quarters (-US$ 239/t on 108 kt of copper sales volumes, resulting in -US$ 26 million).

 


(25)       At December 31, 2015 Vale had provisionally priced copper sales totaling 81,229 tons valued at a LME forward price of US$ 4,710/t, subject to final pricing over the next several months.

(26)       Includes a small amount of final invoices that were provisionally priced and settled within the quarter.

(27)       Copper production includes 43 kt in North Atlantic nickel operations and 65 kt in South Atlantic copper operations.

 

54



Table of Contents

 

Average sale price

 

US$/ metric ton

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015

 

2014

 

Nickel - LME

 

9,437

 

10,561

 

15,799

 

11,807

 

16,867

 

Copper - LME

 

4,892

 

5,259

 

6,624

 

5,494

 

6,862

 

Nickel

 

9,310

 

10,866

 

15,420

 

11,684

 

16,426

 

Copper

 

3,824

 

3,892

 

5,842

 

4,353

 

6,015

 

Platinum (US$/oz)

 

818

 

1,005

 

1,225

 

1,020

 

1,262

 

Gold (US$/oz)

 

1,064

 

1,095

 

1,190

 

1,123

 

1,193

 

Silver (US$/oz)

 

10.00

 

13.49

 

14.16

 

12.63

 

19.42

 

Cobalt (US$/lb)

 

8.55

 

14.54

 

9.34

 

9.95

 

10.67

 

 

PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE

 

Nickel production reached a quarterly record of 82,700 t in 4Q15, being 15.4% higher than in 3Q15, as a result of higher finished nickel production from the operations in Canada, Indonesia, New Caledonia and Brazil.

 

Copper production reached the quarterly record of 112,500 t in 4Q15, being 13.4% higher than in 3Q15, as a result of the higher copper production from the Canadian operations and the ramp-up of Salobo II.

 

Gold production reached the quarterly record of 117,500 oz in 4Q15, being 17.6% higher than in 3Q15, as a result of Salobo’s ongoing ramp-up.

 

Volume sold

 

‘000 metric tons

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015

 

2014

 

Nickel operations & by products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nickel

 

84

 

72

 

69

 

292

 

272

 

Copper

 

43

 

32

 

37

 

148

 

156

 

Gold (‘000 oz)

 

15

 

15

 

20

 

79

 

103

 

Silver (‘000 oz)

 

582

 

374

 

574

 

1,655

 

1,431

 

PGMs (‘000 oz)

 

140

 

83

 

168

 

519

 

577

 

Cobalt (metric ton)

 

1,433

 

468

 

1,311

 

3,840

 

3,188

 

Copper operations & by products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper

 

65

 

62

 

58

 

249

 

197

 

Gold (‘000 oz)

 

99

 

90

 

76

 

346

 

248

 

Silver (‘000 oz)

 

178

 

154

 

182

 

648

 

458

 

 

COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

Costs totaled US$ 1.131 billion in 4Q15 (or US$ 1.551 billion including depreciation). After adjusting for the effects of higher sales volumes (US$ 168 million) and exchange rate variations (-US$ 30 million), costs decreased by US$ 45 million vs. 3Q15, mainly due to the higher dilution of fixed costs in Sudbury (US$ 42 million).

 

55



Table of Contents

 

Base metals COGS - 3Q15 x 4Q15

 

 

 

 

 

Variance drivers

 

 

 

 

 

US$ million

 

3Q15

 

Volume

 

Exchange
Rate

 

Others

 

Total Variation
3Q15 x 4Q15

 

4Q15

 

Personnel

 

205

 

37

 

(7

)

(7

)

23

 

228

 

Outsourced services and Materials

 

218

 

39

 

(7

)

(7

)

25

 

243

 

Energy (Electricity, fuel & gas)

 

137

 

25

 

(4

)

(4

)

17

 

154

 

Acquisition of products

 

106

 

 

 

(15

)

(15

)

91

 

Maintenance

 

236

 

43

 

(8

)

(8

)

27

 

263

 

Others

 

136

 

24

 

(4

)

(4

)

16

 

152

 

Total costs before depreciation and amortization

 

1,038

 

168

 

(30

)

(45

)

93

 

1,131

 

Depreciation

 

368

 

2

 

(11

)

61

 

52

 

420

 

Total

 

1,406

 

170

 

(41

)

16

 

145

 

1,551

 

 

SG&A and other expenses, excluding depreciation, totalled US$ 95 million in 4Q15, being negatively impacted by the write-off of materials inventories in 4Q15 (US$ 31 million).

 

Pre-operating and stoppage expenses, net of depreciation, totaled US$ 89 million, being US$ 8 million lower than in 3Q15, mainly reflecting lower expenses at VNC (US$ 7 million) and Long Harbour (US$ 2 million).

 

Performance by operation

 

The breakdown of the Base Metals EBITDA components per operation is detailed below.

 

Base Metals EBITDA overview — 4Q15

 

US$ millions

 

North
Atlantic

 

PTVI
Site

 

VNC
Site

 

Sossego

 

Salobo

 

Onça
Puma

 

Other(1)

 

Total Base
Metals

 

Net Revenues

 

729

 

177

 

84

 

103

 

248

 

64

 

53

 

1,458

 

Costs(2)

 

(490

)

(145

)

(113

)

(83

)

(156

)

(55

)

(89

)

(1,131

)

SG&A and others

 

(11

)

2

 

(10

)

(3

)

(17

)

(19

)

(36

)

(95

)

R&D

 

(18

)

(5

)

(3

)

(3

)

 

(0

)

(3

)

(32

)

Pre-operating & stoppage

 

(23

)

 

(65

)

 

 

 

(1

)

(89

)

EBITDA

 

187

 

28

 

(107

)

14

 

75

 

(10

)

(76

)

111

 

Ni deliveries (kt)

 

43

 

23

 

10

 

 

 

7

 

2

 

84

 

Cu deliveries (kt)

 

43

 

 

 

23

 

42

 

 

 

108

 

 


(1)              Includes the PTVI and VNC off-takes, intercompany sales and purchase of finished nickel and corporate center for base metals.

(2)              Costs without by-products credits.

 

Base metals — EBITDA by operation

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

North Atlantic operation(1)

 

187

 

139

 

435

 

PTVI

 

28

 

57

 

91

 

VNC

 

(107

)

(115

)

(118

)

Onça Puma

 

(10

)

12

 

5

 

Sossego

 

14

 

36

 

58

 

Salobo

 

75

 

77

 

71

 

Other(2)

 

(76

)

(14

)

40

 

Total

 

111

 

193

 

582

 

 


(1)              Includes the operations in Canada and in the United Kingdom.

(2)              Includes the PTVI and VNC off-takes, intercompany sales and purchase of finished nickel and corporate center for base metals

 

56



Table of Contents

 

Base metals — EBITDA per ton by operation

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

North Atlantic operation(1)

 

2,179

 

1,961

 

5,764

 

PTVI

 

1,231

 

2,543

 

4,483

 

Onça Puma

 

(1,405

)

2,291

 

1,000

 

Sossego

 

614

 

1,397

 

2,191

 

Salobo

 

1,790

 

2,099

 

2,240

 

 


(1)              Includes the operations in Canada and in the United Kingdom.

 

EBITDA

 

Details of Base Metals’ adjusted EBITDA by operations are as follows:

 

(i)             North Atlantic operations’ EBITDA was US$ 187 million, increasing by US$ 48 million compared with 3Q15 mainly as a result of lower costs and expenses (US$ 81 million) and higher volumes (US$ 66 million) partially offset by lower prices (US$ 91 million).

 

(ii)          PTVI’s EBITDA was US$ 28 million, decreasing US$ 29 million vs. 3Q15 mainly as a result of lower prices (US$ 30 million) while costs and expenses remained stable in 4Q15 vs 3Q15.

 

(iii)       VNC’s EBITDA was -US$ 107 million, increasing US$ 8 million vs. 3Q15 mainly as a result of lower costs and expenses (US$ 13 million).

 

(iv)      Onça Puma’s EBITDA was -US$ 10 million, decreasing by US$ 22 million vs. 3Q15 as a result of higher expenses (US$ 25 million), which was primarily associated with a one-time inventory write-off of US$ 16 million related to materials purchased for initial construction.

 

(v)         Sossego’s EBITDA was US$ 14 million, decreasing by US$ 22 million mainly as a result of higher costs and expenses (US$ 22 million) related to a 10.2% production decline due to lower grades and an inventory write-off of US$ 2 million.

 

(vi)      Salobo’s EBITDA was US$ 75 million, decreasing by US$ 2 million vs. 3Q15 mainly as a result of a one-time materials inventory write-off related to material purchased for the initial construction (US$ 13 million) and lower sales prices (US$ 3 million). These negative impacts were partially offset by higher sales volumes (US$ 17 million) and positive exchange rate impacts (US$ 12 million).

 

Unit cash cost in the North Atlantic Operations decreased in 4Q15 due to higher sales volumes, higher by-product deliveries and the dilution of fixed costs. Cash cost in Onça Puma was positively impacted by the depreciation of the BRL. Sossego’s costs increased due to lower copper grades.

 

57



Table of Contents

 

Base Metals — unit cash cost of sales, net of by-product credits(1)

 

US$ / t

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

Nickel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North Atlantic Operations (nickel)

 

3,582

 

6,242

 

5,267

 

PTVI (nickel)

 

6,326

 

6,157

 

7,990

 

Onça Puma (nickel)

 

7,710

 

8,596

 

13,831

 

Copper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sossego (copper)

 

2,840

 

2,301

 

3,668

 

Salobo (copper)

 

1,571

 

1,520

 

2,218

 

 


(1) North Atlantic figures include Clydach and Acton refining costs while PTVI only includes the standalone operation.

 

As previously reported, VNC was subject to a production test that it had to meet by December 31, 2015 pursuant to the shareholder’s agreement between Vale and Sumic Nickel Netherlands B.V., (Sumic)  a joint venture between Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. and Mitsui & Co., Ltd,. While VNC set a new production record in the fourth quarter producing 9,600 t of nickel, it did not achieve the threshold required for Sumic to remain a shareholder in VNC. With respect to the test which had a nickel oxide threshold and a total nickel threshold, VNC achieved 93% of the target nickel oxide level and 77% of the total nickel target. Sumic will exit VNC by March 31, 2016 and Vale will pay them proceeds of US$ 135 million in March 2017 for their equity stake. Vale will then hold 95% of the shares of VNC. A further US$ 218 million is due to Sumic in March 2017 for debt funding they provided to VNC.

 

Market outlook — base metals

 

Base metal prices were negatively impacted in the fourth quarter reflecting decelerating growth of Chinese industrial production and consumer spending.

 

NICKEL

 

LME cash nickel prices declined steadily over 4Q15 mainly due to weakening demand in China which resulted in continued decline in stainless steel production.  LME prices averaged US$ 9,437/t in the quarter, representing a 10.6% decline vs. 3Q15 and a 40.3% decline vs. 4Q14. Total nickel inventories in major exchanges increased from 478kt at the end of 3Q15 to 493kt at the end of 4Q15, as inventory was added to the SHFE.

 

Ore shipments from the Philippines into China declined 1.7Mt (18%) in 4Q15 vs. 4Q14 while ore inventories declined 1.2Mt during the fourth quarter, suggesting lower NPI production.  Net imports of finished nickel into China remained relatively high with 91kt being imported in 4Q15 vs. exports of 2.7kt for the same period of 2014. Ferronickel net imports in 4Q15 were also high, with 28kt contained Ni vs. 20kt in 4Q14.

 

While the duration of the current price weakness is uncertain, at these prices well over half of nickel operations have negative cash flows. Global supply is anticipated to decline in 2016 led by falling NPI production and an anticipated fall in non-China refined production as producers

 

58



Table of Contents

 

become unable to sustain losses. Relatively flat demand outlook coupled with reduced production should positively impact prices as the market moves into a deficit in 2016.

 

COPPER

 

LME cash copper prices also declined in 4Q15 averaging US$ 4,892/t. Prices declined 7% vs. 3Q15 and 26% vs. 4Q14. Inventories on all three major exchanges declined over the quarter with total exchange inventories ending the quarter at 484kt from 520kt at the beginning.  Copper concentrate imports into China have been strong, having increased 11% in 2015 year-over-year vs. 2014 while refined copper imports decreased slightly (-0.6%) in 2015 year-over-year vs. 2014.  Over 100kt of price related supply cuts were announced in the fourth quarter along with the postponement of several projects, including expansion projects for key copper mines in Latin America. However, over the same period additional copper units were added to supply resulting in a net increase year-over-year moving the market into surplus for 2015. In 2016, with relatively flat demand outlook the market is expected to remain in surplus.

 

Selected financial indicators - Base Metals

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Net Revenues

 

1,458

 

1,347

 

1,953

 

6,163

 

7,692

 

Costs (1)

 

(1,131

)

(1,038

)

(1,205

)

(4,296

)

(4,587

)

Expenses (1)

 

(95

)

7

 

15

 

44

 

89

 

Pre-operating and stoppage expenses(1)

 

(89

)

(97

)

(136

)

(412

)

(530

)

R&D expenses

 

(32

)

(26

)

(45

)

(111

)

(143

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

111

 

193

 

582

 

1,388

 

2,521

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(484

)

(437

)

(563

)

(1,840

)

(1,791

)

Adjusted EBIT

 

(373

)

(244

)

19

 

(452

)

730

 

Adjusted EBIT margin (%)

 

(25.6

)

(18.1

)

1.0

 

(7.3

)

9.5

 

 


(1) Net of depreciation and amortization

 

59



Table of Contents

 

Coal

 

Annual performance

 

Adjusted EBITDA for the Coal business segment was negative US$ 508 million in 2015, compared to negative US$ 669 million in 2014. The increase of US$ 161 million was mainly driven by the stoppage of the Integra and Isaac Plains operations, by lower expenses and by the Australian Dollar devaluation, which were partly offset by lower prices.

 

Gross sales revenues of metallurgical coal decreased to US$ 480 million in 2015, compared to US$ 661 million in 2014. The decrease of US$ 181 million was driven by lower prices (US$ 108 million) and by lower sales volumes (US$ 73 million) in 2015 as a result of the stoppage of Integra and Isaac Plains. Gross sales revenues of thermal coal decreased to US$ 46 million in 2015 from US$ 78 million in 2014, as a result of lower prices (US$ 12 million) and lower sales volumes (US$ 20 million).

 

Sales volumes of metallurgical coal reached 5.6 Mt in 2015 decreasing by 716 kt vs. 2014, while sales volumes of thermal coal reached 892 kt in 2015, 260 kt lower than in 2014 as a result of the above-mentioned stoppage of the Integra and Isaac Plains operations.

 

Coal costs amounted to US$ 839 million (or US$ 977 million with depreciation charges) in 2015, decreasing US$ 232 million in comparison with the US$ 1.071 billion recorded in 2014. After adjusting for the effects of lower volumes (US$ 134 million) and for the AUD depreciation (US$ 84 million), costs decreased by US$ 14 million.

 

Coal expenses, excluding depreciation charges, decreased by US$ 142 million from US$ 365 million in 2014 to US$ 223 million in 2015. The decrease was mainly due to lower inventory adjustments on thermal coal in Mozambique.

 

Annual performance by operation

 

Highlights by operation are:

 

Australia

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA for the Australian operations was negative US$ 28 million in 2015 compared to the negative US$ 191 million in 2014. The increase of US$ 163 million vs. 2014 was mainly driven by the above-mentioned stoppage of the non-profitable operations of Isaac Plains and Integra, as well as the good operational performance of Carborough Downs, partly offset by lower prices, the write-down of assets and the write-down of mine development expenses.

 

·                  Free Cash Flow for the Australian operations totaled US$ 24 million in 2015, after deducting the above-mentioned non-cash write-down events.

 

60



Table of Contents

 

·                  Costs net of depreciation for the Australian operations amounted to US$ 256 million in 2015, decreasing by US$ 261 million vs. 2014.  After adjusting for the effects of lower volumes (-US$ 134 million) and the AUD depreciation (-US$ 84 million), costs decreased by US$ 43 million as a result of the above-mentioned stoppage of Integra and Isaac Plains, as well as the good operational performance and cost reduction initiatives in Carborough Downs.

 

Mozambique

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA for the Mozambique operations was negative US$ 508 million in 2015 in line with the negative US$ 506 million registered in 2014.  The negative impact of lower prices was mainly offset by lower expenses.

 

·                  Mozambique costs, net of depreciation, amounted to US$ 583 million in 2015, increasing by US$ 29 million, mainly as a result of the waste removal brought forward during the plant shutdown held in the third quarter and higher maintenance costs, which were partly offset by lower logistics costs.

 

Quarterly performance

 

Adjusted EBITDA for the Coal business segment was negative US$ 149 million in 4Q15, compared to negative US$ 129 million in 3Q15. The decrease of US$ 20 million was mainly driven by lower prices and higher costs in Australia.

 

Gross sales revenues of metallurgical coal decreased to US$ 98 million in 4Q15, compared to US$ 115 million in 3Q15. The decrease of US$ 17 million was driven by lower prices (US$ 11 million) and by lower sales volumes (US$ 6 million) in 4Q15 as a result of a longwall move at Carborough Downs. Gross sales revenues of thermal coal decreased to US$ 10 million in 4Q15 from US$ 12 million in 3Q15, as a result of lower prices (US$ 1 million) and lower sales volumes (US$ 1 million).

 

Sales volumes of metallurgical coal reached 1.329 Mt in 4Q15 decreasing by 90 kt vs. 3Q15, mainly due to the above-mentioned longwall move at Carborough Downs. The decrease was partly offset by higher sales volumes from Mozambique. Sales volumes of thermal coal reached 226 kt in 4Q15, 17 kt lower than in 3Q15 as a result of the priority given to haul metallurgical coal.

 

Coal costs totaled US$ 260 million (or US$ 296 million with depreciation charges) in 4Q15, increasing US$ 53 million in comparison with the US$ 207 million recorded in 3Q15. After adjusting for the effects of lower volumes in Australia (-US$ 23 million) and of higher volumes in Mozambique (US$ 28 million), costs increased by US$ 48 million, mainly due to the one-off effect of the write-down of mine development expenses in Australia.

 

61



Table of Contents

 

Coal expenses, excluding depreciation charges, decreased by US$ 24 million from US$ 49 million in 3Q15 to US$ 25 million in 4Q15. The decrease was mainly due to the positive impact of the final settlement of an insurance claim in Australia.

 

Quarterly performance by operation

 

Highlights by operation are:

 

Australia

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA for the Australian operations was negative US$ 33 million in 4Q15 compared to the negative US$ 4 million in 3Q15. The decrease of US$ 29 million vs. 3Q15 was mainly driven by the above-mentioned write-down of mine development expenses at Carborough Downs.

 

·                  Costs net of depreciation for the Australian operations totaled US$ 84 million in 4Q15, increasing by US$ 25 million vs. 3Q15.  After adjusting for the effects of lower volumes (-US$ 23 million), costs increased by US$ 48 million as a result of the above-mentioned write-down at Carborough Downs.

 

·                  Free Cash Flow for the Australian operations totaled US$ 8 million in 4Q15.

 

Mozambique

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA for the Mozambique operations was negative US$ 144 million in 4Q15 compared to the negative US$ 125 million in 3Q15. The decrease of US$ 19 million vs. 3Q15 was mainly driven by lower prices.

 

·                  Mozambique costs net of depreciation amounted to US$ 176 million in 4Q15, increasing by US$ 28 million vs. 3Q15, driven by higher volumes.

 

Market outlook - metallurgical coal

 

Prices for the low volatility premium hard coking coal benchmark FOB Australia fell 8.9% from US$ 89/t in 3Q15 to US$81/t in 4Q15, while prices for PCI dropped 2.8%, from US$ 71/t in 3Q15 to US$ 69/t in 4Q15.

 

Chinese seaborne demand decreased by 22% to 48Mt in 2015 compared to 62Mt in 2014. This decrease was partially offset by a 14% increase in Indian demand which increased from 40Mt in 2014 to roughly 46Mt in 2015. Global metallurgical imports declined 4% on a worldwide basis in 2015 further pressuring coal prices.

 

Australian producers benefited from low freight rates and increased sales into the Atlantic market. Preliminary data shows that Australian exports of metallurgical coal totaled 186Mt in

 

62



Table of Contents

 

2015 (slightly less than in 2014), while US exports totaled 38Mt, (28% lower than in 2014). Further supply cuts are expected with the consolidation of US producers, whereas currency depreciation in other exporting countries slowed down supply reductions outside the US.

 

Demand will most likely remain subdued with additional supply curtailments being the focus of 2016.

 

Coal business performance

 

Gross operating revenue by product

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Metallurgical coal

 

98

 

115

 

181

 

480

 

661

 

Thermal coal

 

10

 

12

 

20

 

46

 

78

 

Total

 

108

 

127

 

201

 

526

 

739

 

 

Average sale price

 

US$/ metric ton

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Metallurgical coal

 

73.75

 

81.22

 

99.72

 

85.55

 

104.37

 

Thermal coal

 

44.19

 

48.24

 

64.52

 

52.42

 

67.65

 

 

Volume sold

 

‘000 metric tons

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Metallurgical coal

 

1,329

 

1,419

 

1,815

 

5,614

 

6,330

 

Thermal coal

 

226

 

243

 

310

 

891

 

1,152

 

Total

 

1,555

 

1,662

 

2,125

 

6,505

 

7,482

 

 

Selected financial indicators - Coal

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Net Revenues

 

108

 

127

 

201

 

526

 

739

 

Costs (1)

 

(260

)

(207

)

(249

)

(839

)

(1.071

)

Expenses (1)

 

(9

)

(17

)

(164

)

(140

)

(309

)

Pre-operating and stoppage expenses (1)

 

(12

)

(25

)

(10

)

(61

)

(38

)

R&D expenses

 

(4

)

(7

)

(10

)

(22

)

(18

)

Dividends received

 

28

 

 

28

 

28

 

28

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

(149

)

(129

)

(204

)

(508

)

(669

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(41

)

(80

)

(36

)

(192

)

(120

)

Adjusted EBIT

 

(218.0

)

(209.0

)

(268.0

)

(728.0

)

(817.0

)

Adjusted EBIT margin (%)

 

(202

)

(165

)

(133

)

(138

)

(111

)

 


(1) Net of depreciation and amortization.

 

63



Table of Contents

 

Fertilizer nutrients

 

Annual performance

 

Adjusted EBITDA for the Fertilizer business segment increased to US$ 567 million in 2015 from US$ 278 million in 2014. The increase of US$ 289 million from 2014 was driven by: (i) exchange rate (US$ 248 million); (ii) cost saving initiatives (US$ 83 million); (iii) gains on realized price due to commercial initiatives (US$ 74 million); and (iv) expense reductions(28) (US$ 45 million).  The increase was partly offset by: (i) inflation (US$ 79 million)(29); (ii) lower volumes (US$ 37 million); (iii) higher R&D expenses(30) (US$ 23 million) and (iv) lower market prices (US$ 22 million).

 

Potash gross sales revenues totaled US$ 147 million in 2015, decreasing by US$ 22 million in 2015 vs. 2014. Sales volumes decreased from 475 kt in 2014 to 463 kt in 2015, due to lower grades at the mine, which impacted production. Realized prices decreased from US$ 356/t in 2014 to US$ 318/t in 2015, alongside the reduction of the international potash prices.

 

Phosphate products gross sales revenues totaled US$ 1.818 billion in 2015, US$ 86 million lower than in 2014 as a result of lower sales volumes (US$ 39 million) and of lower realized prices (US$ 47 million), which were impacted by the reduction of international prices.

 

Nitrogen fertilizers gross sales revenues totaled US$ 355 million in 2015 vs. US$ 411 million in 2014, as a result of lower sales volumes (US$ 28 million) and lower sales prices (US$ 28 million).

 

Despite the reduction in sales volumes in 2015, the Fertilizer business segment increased its market share in Brazil.

 

Fertilizer costs, net of depreciation, totaled US$ 1.469 billion in 2015 (or US$ 1.763 billion with depreciation charges), decreasing by US$ 416 million vs. 2014. After excluding the effects of lower volumes (-US$ 60 million) and exchange rate variations (-US$ 343 million), costs decreased US$ 13 million, as cost saving initiatives (US$ 83 million) were partly offset by inflation (US$ 70 million).

 

SG&A and Other expenses, net of depreciation, decreased to US$ 37 million in 2015 from US$ 95 million in 2014, due to the BRL depreciation (US$ 19 million) and downsizing initiatives (US$ 30 million), which were partly offset by inflation (US$ 9 million). R&D expenses totaled US$ 82 million in 2015, increasing 14% from the US$ 72 million recorded in 2014, mainly due to higher expenditures with the Kronau project study. Pre-operating and

 


(28)       SG&A and Other expenses, pre operational and stoppage expenses, after adjusting for the effect of exchange rates.

(29)       Includes US$ 96 million of inflation on costs, -US$26 million of ammonia and sulphur price decreases and US$ 9 million of inflation in expenses.

(30)       After adjusting for the effect of exchange rates.

 

64



Table of Contents

 

stoppage expenses totaled US$ 70 million in 2015, decreasing US$ 15 million vs. 2014, mainly as a result of a reduction in stoppage expenses (US$ 17.5 million).

 

Quarterly performance

 

Adjusted EBITDA for the Fertilizer business segment decreased to US$ 117 million in 4Q15 from US$ 197 million in 3Q15. The decrease of US$ 80 million from 3Q15 was mainly driven by lower volumes (US$ 86 million), following the usual seasonality.

 

Potash gross sales revenues totaled US$ 33 million in 4Q15, decreasing by US$ 14 million in 4Q15 vs. 3Q15. Sales volumes decreased from 155 kt in 3Q15 to 114 kt in 4Q15, due to typical market seasonality. Realized prices decreased from US$ 302/t in 3Q15 to US$ 293/t in 4Q15, alongside the reduction of international potash prices.

 

Phosphate products gross sales revenues totaled US$ 387 million in 4Q15, US$ 201 million lower than in 3Q15 as a result of lower sales volumes.  Sales volumes decreased due to usual market seasonality.

 

Nitrogen fertilizers gross sales revenues totaled US$ 76 million in 4Q15 vs. US$ 92 million in 3Q15, mainly as a result of lower sales volumes.

 

Fertilizer costs, net of depreciation, totaled US$ 319 million in 4Q15 (or US$ 386 million with depreciation charges), decreasing US$ 125 million vs. 3Q15. After excluding the effects of lower volumes (-US$ 130 million) and exchange rate variations (-US$ 19 million), costs increased by US$ 24 million, mainly as a result of idle capacity (US$ 10 million), inventory adjustments (US$ 6 million) and higher taxes on freight (US$ 3 million).

 

SG&A and Other expenses, net of depreciation, increased to US$ 14 million in 4Q15 from US$ 5 million in 3Q15. R&D expenses totaled US$ 22 million in 4Q15, in line with US$ 23 million recorded in 3Q15. Pre-operating and stoppage expenses totaled US$ 9 million in 4Q15, decreasing US$ 20 million vs. 3Q15, mainly as a result of a reduction in stoppage expenses.

 

Market outlook - fertilizer nutrients

 

Fertilizers posted another quarter of lackluster demand as a result of lower than expected agricultural commodities prices. Demand in Brazil was further undermined by the depreciation of the BRL against the USD and the shortage of credit to farmers. Demand in India was negatively impacted by the consumption of inventories.

 

The phosphate and nitrogen market remained weak with supply reductions not matching demand slowdowns. Lower phosphate demand also reduced demand for sulphur and ammonia, the most relevant raw materials for the production of nitrogen and phosphate

 

65



Table of Contents

 

products. Altogether the conditions in these segments will establish a lower pricing level for the nitrogen and phosphate markets.

 

The potash market remained oversupplied with still sluggish demand. However, supported by the annual contracts agreed with Chinese purchasers in the beginning of each year, prices of potash fertilizers remained relatively high for the current market conditions, prompting buyers to wait for the new, upcoming price negotiations.

 

Looking forward, consumption may remain weak, especially in Brazil, as fertilizer buyers continue to postpone purchases with the hope of credit recovery and higher agricultural commodities prices. The potash market may come to balance in the short term with production cuts and no additional capacity installed in 2015. The phosphate market may also improve with production cuts.

 

Fertilizers COGS — 3Q15 x 4Q15

 

 

 

 

 

Variance drivers

 

 

 

 

 

US$ million

 

3Q15

 

Volume

 

Exchange
Rate

 

Others

 

Total Variation
3Q15 x 4Q15

 

4Q15

 

Personnel

 

73 

 

(18

)

(6

)

 

(23

)

50 

 

Outsourced services and Materials

 

269 

 

(69

)

(8

)

(9

)

(86

)

183 

 

Energy (Electricity, fuel & gas)

 

56 

 

(16

)

(3

)

 

(19

)

37 

 

Maintenance

 

23 

 

(4

)

(1

)

 

(5

)

18 

 

Others

 

23 

 

(23

)

(1

)

32 

 

 

31 

 

Total costs before depreciation and amortization

 

444 

 

(130

)

(19

)

24 

 

(125

)

319 

 

Depreciation

 

93 

 

(25

)

(6

)

 

(26

)

67 

 

Total

 

537 

 

(155

)

(25

)

29 

 

(151

)

386 

 

 

Fertilizer nutrients business performance

 

Gross operating revenue by product

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Potash

 

33

 

47

 

45

 

147

 

169

 

Phosphates

 

387

 

588

 

432

 

1,818

 

1,904

 

Nitrogen

 

76

 

92

 

108

 

355

 

411

 

Others

 

17

 

20

 

22

 

66

 

101

 

Total

 

513

 

747

 

607

 

2,386

 

2,585

 

 

Average sale price

 

US$/ metric ton

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Potash

 

293.08

 

302.42

 

371.90

 

318.32

 

355.79

 

Phosphates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAP

 

496.45

 

505.21

 

550.70

 

511.70

 

542.44

 

TSP

 

394.48

 

391.50

 

448.41

 

398.05

 

428.98

 

SSP

 

212.88

 

197.17

 

217.14

 

204.45

 

212.61

 

DCP

 

514.90

 

536.10

 

584.94

 

554.88

 

591.51

 

Phosphate rock

 

81.73

 

78.02

 

88.77

 

82.55

 

70.88

 

Nitrogen

 

490.89

 

497.96

 

627.91

 

554.11

 

604.41

 

 

66



Table of Contents

 

Volume sold

 

‘000 metric tons

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Potash

 

114

 

155

 

121

 

463

 

475

 

Phosphates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAP

 

266

 

348

 

249

 

1,081

 

1,040

 

TSP

 

113

 

317

 

112

 

744

 

749

 

SSP

 

317

 

740

 

367

 

1,847

 

2,091

 

DCP

 

119

 

118

 

118

 

459

 

493

 

Phosphate rock

 

811

 

769

 

935

 

3,193

 

3,259

 

Others phosphates

 

68

 

74

 

71

 

330

 

271

 

Nitrogen

 

154

 

185

 

172

 

641

 

680

 

 

Selected financial indicators - Fertilizers

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Net Revenues

 

481

 

698

 

569

 

2.225

 

2.415

 

Costs(1)

 

(319

)

(444

)

(411

)

(1,469

)

(1,885

)

Expenses(1)

 

(14

)

(5

)

(29

)

(37

)

(95

)

Pre-operating and stoppage expenses(1)

 

(9

)

(29

)

(34

)

(70

)

(85

)

R&D expenses

 

(22

)

(23

)

(20

)

(82

)

(72

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

117

 

197

 

75

 

567

 

278

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(67

)

(99

)

(88

)

(310

)

(419

)

Adjusted EBIT

 

50

 

98

 

(13

)

257

 

(141

)

Adjusted EBIT margin (%)

 

10.4

 

14.0

 

(2.3

)

11.6

 

(5.8

)

 


(1) Net of depreciation and amortization.

 

67



Table of Contents

 

FINANCIAL INDICATORS OF NON-CONSOLIDATED COMPANIES

 

For selected financial indicators of the main non-consolidated companies, see our quarterly financial statements on www.vale.com / Investors / Information for the market / Financial statements.

 

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

 

Vale will host two conference calls and webcasts on Thursday, February 25th. The first, in Portuguese (without translation), will begin at 10:00 a.m. Rio de Janeiro time. The second, in English, at 12:00 p.m. Rio de Janeiro time, 10:00 a.m. US Eastern Daylight Time, 3:00 p.m. British Standard Time, and 11:00 p.m. Hong Kong time.

 

Dial in to conference calls/webcasts:

 

In Portuguese:

Participants from Brazil: (55 11) 3193-1001 or (55 11) 2820-4001

Participants from the US: (1 888) 700-0802

Participants from other countries: (1 786) 924-6977

Access code: VALE

 

In English:

Participants from Brazil: (55 11) 3193-1001 or (55 11) 2820-4001

Participants from the U.S.: (1 866) 262-4553

Participants from other countries: (1 412) 317-6029

Access code: VALE

 

Instructions for participation will be available on the website: www.vale.com/Investors. A recording will be available on Vale’s website for 90 days as of February 25th, 2016.

 

This press release may include statements that present Vale’s expectations about future events or results.  All statements, when based upon expectations about the future and not on historical facts, involve various risks and uncertainties. Vale cannot guarantee that such statements will prove correct. These risks and uncertainties include factors related to the following: (a) the countries where we operate, especially Brazil and Canada; (b) the global economy; (c) the capital markets; (d) the mining and metals prices and their dependence on global industrial production, which is cyclical by nature; and (e) global competition in the markets in which Vale operates. To obtain further information on factors that may lead to results different from those forecast by Vale, please consult the reports Vale files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Brazilian Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (CVM), the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, and in particular the factors discussed under “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in Vale’s annual report on Form 20-F.

 

68



Table of Contents

 

ANNEX 1 — SIMPLIFIED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Income statement

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015

 

2014

 

Gross operating revenues

 

5,986

 

6,618

 

9,226

 

26,047

 

38,236

 

Net operating revenue

 

5,899

 

6,505

 

9,072

 

25,609

 

37,539

 

Cost of goods sold

 

(5,119

)

(5,040

)

(6,892

)

(20,513

)

(25,064

)

Gross profit

 

780

 

1,465

 

2,180

 

5,096

 

12,475

 

Gross margin (%)

 

13.2

 

22.5

 

24.0

 

19.9

 

33.2

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

(167

)

(131

)

(306

)

(652

)

(1,099

)

Research and development expenses

 

(119

)

(121

)

(235

)

(477

)

(734

)

Pre-operating and stoppage expenses

 

(238

)

(266

)

(292

)

(1,027

)

(1,088

)

Other operational expenses

 

64

 

(113

)

(491

)

(206

)

(1,057

)

Gain (loss) from sale of assets

 

(29

)

(48

)

(167

)

61

 

(167

)

Impairment of non-current assets

 

(8,926

)

 

(378

)

(8,926

)

(1,152

)

Operating profit

 

(8,635

)

786

 

311

 

(6,131

)

7,178

 

Financial revenues

 

80

 

92

 

55

 

268

 

401

 

Financial expenses

 

(326

)

(352

)

(502

)

(1,112

)

(2,936

)

Gains (losses) on derivatives, net

 

426

 

(1,799

)

(1,087

)

(2,477

)

(1,334

)

Monetary and exchange variation

 

173

 

(5,117

)

(1,257

)

(7,480

)

(2,200

)

Equity income

 

(37

)

(349

)

31

 

(439

)

505

 

Results on sale or write-off of investments from associates and joint ventures

 

 

 

31

 

97

 

(30

)

Impairment on investments from association and joint ventures

 

(446

)

 

(31

)

(446

)

(31

)

Income (loss) before taxes

 

(8,765

)

(6,739

)

(2,449

)

(17,720

)

1,553

 

Current tax

 

(152

)

(100

)

363

 

(389

)

(1,051

)

Deferred tax

 

74

 

4,603

 

106

 

5,489

 

(149

)

Net Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

 

(8,843

)

(2,236

)

(1,980

)

(12,620

)

353

 

Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

274

 

119

 

131

 

491

 

304

 

Net earnings (attributable to the Company’s stockholders)

 

(8,569

)

(2,117

)

(1,849

)

(12,129

)

657

 

Earnings (loss) per share (attributable to the Company’s stockholders - US$)

 

(1.66

)

(0.41

)

(0.36

)

(2.35

)

0.13

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share (attributable to the Company’s stockholders - US$)

 

(1.66

)

(0.41

)

(0.36

)

(2.35

)

0.13

 

 

Equity income (loss) by business segment

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015

 

%

 

2014

 

%

 

Ferrous minerals

 

44

 

(65.0

)

86

 

26

 

(5.9

)

652

 

129.1

 

Coal

 

3

 

(9.0

)

5

 

(3

)

0.7

 

32

 

6.3

 

Base metals

 

(99

)

(10.0

)

(10

)

(132

)

30.1

 

(36

)

(7.1

)

Logistics

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

2.6

 

Steel

 

(21

)

(282.0

)

(3

)

(414

)

94.3

 

(92

)

(18.2

)

Others

 

36

 

17.0

 

(47

)

84

 

(19.1

)

(64

)

(12.7

)

Total

 

(37

)

(349.0

)

31

 

(439

)

100.0

 

505

 

100.0

 

 

69



Table of Contents

 

Balance sheet

 

US$ million

 

12/31/2015

 

9/30/2015

 

12/31/2014

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

15,473

 

17,701

 

20,234

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

3,591

 

4,397

 

3,974

 

Financial investments

 

28

 

65

 

148

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

121

 

158

 

166

 

Accounts receivable

 

1,476

 

2,028

 

3,275

 

Related parties

 

70

 

343

 

579

 

Inventories

 

3,528

 

3,808

 

4,501

 

Prepaid income taxes

 

900

 

904

 

1,581

 

Recoverable taxes

 

1,404

 

1,364

 

1,700

 

Others

 

311

 

746

 

670

 

Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operation

 

4,044

 

3,888

 

3,640

 

Non-current assets

 

10,653

 

10,857

 

7,180

 

Related parties

 

1

 

23

 

35

 

Loans and financing agreements receivable

 

188

 

194

 

229

 

Judicial deposits

 

882

 

838

 

1,269

 

Recoverable income taxes

 

471

 

417

 

478

 

Deferred income taxes

 

7,904

 

7,982

 

3,976

 

Recoverable taxes

 

501

 

527

 

401

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

93

 

133

 

87

 

Others

 

613

 

743

 

705

 

Fixed assets

 

62,366

 

70,467

 

89,075

 

Total assets

 

88,492

 

99,025

 

116,489

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

10,545

 

10,226

 

10,737

 

Suppliers and contractors

 

3,365

 

3,482

 

4,354

 

Payroll and related charges

 

375

 

455

 

1,163

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

2,076

 

1,422

 

1,416

 

Loans and financing

 

2,506

 

3,030

 

1,419

 

Related parties

 

475

 

141

 

306

 

Income taxes settlement program

 

345

 

330

 

457

 

Taxes payable and royalties

 

250

 

261

 

550

 

Provision for income taxes

 

241

 

217

 

353

 

Employee postretirement obligations

 

68

 

69

 

67

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

89

 

81

 

136

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

135

 

 

Others

 

648

 

323

 

405

 

Liabilities directly associated with non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations

 

107

 

280

 

111

 

Non-current liabilities

 

42,243

 

44,298

 

49,431

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

1,429

 

2,808

 

1,610

 

Loans and financing

 

26,347

 

25,645

 

27,388

 

Related parties

 

213

 

76

 

109

 

Employee postretirement obligations

 

1,750

 

1,881

 

2,236

 

Provisions for litigation

 

822

 

858

 

1,282

 

Income taxes settlement program

 

4,085

 

3,992

 

5,863

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,670

 

2,896

 

3,341

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

2,385

 

2,648

 

3,233

 

Participative stockholders’ debentures

 

342

 

603

 

1,726

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

243

 

Gold stream transaction

 

1,749

 

1,785

 

1,323

 

Others

 

1,451

 

1,106

 

1,077

 

Total liabilities

 

52,788

 

54,524

 

60,168

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

35,704

 

44,501

 

56,321

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

88,492

 

99,025

 

116,489

 

 

70



Table of Contents

 

Cash flow

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015

 

2014

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) from operations

 

(8,843

)

(2,236

)

(1,980

)

(12,620

)

353

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income with cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

984

 

1,022

 

1,242

 

4,029

 

4,288

 

Impairment

 

9,372

 

 

409

 

9,372

 

1,183

 

Loss on measurement or sales of non-current assets

 

29

 

48

 

167

 

(158

)

167

 

Items of the financial result

 

(2,007

)

6,801

 

 

7,628

 

 

Others

 

642

 

(4,365

)

1,820

 

(5,013

)

3,029

 

Variation of assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

985

 

343

 

107

 

1,671

 

2,546

 

Inventories

 

(73

)

(331

)

(63

)

(304

)

(535

)

Suppliers and contractors

 

491

 

422

 

503

 

740

 

1,013

 

Payroll and related charges

 

(79

)

53

 

53

 

(603

)

(77

)

Tax assets and liabilities, net

 

 

(37

)

(701

)

(357

)

312

 

Goldstream transaction

 

 

 

 

532

 

 

Others

 

(166

)

(91

)

(369

)

(426

)

705

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,335

 

1,629

 

1,188

 

4,491

 

12,984

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to investments

 

(12

)

(8

)

(24

)

(66

)

(244

)

Acquisition of subsidiary

 

 

 

 

(90

)

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(2,190

)

(1,870

)

(3,449

)

(8,371

)

(11,813

)

Proceeds from disposal of assets and investments

 

423

 

472

 

 

1,456

 

1,246

 

Dividends and interest on capital received from joint ventures and associates

 

87

 

19

 

89

 

318

 

568

 

Proceeds from goldstream transaction

 

 

 

 

368

 

 

Others

 

(36

)

76

 

466

 

226

 

275

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(1,728

)

(1,311

)

(2,918

)

(6,159

)

(9,968

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and financing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions

 

1,045

 

1,066

 

962

 

4,995

 

2,341

 

Repayments

 

(1,012

)

(928

)

(842

)

(2,826

)

(1,936

)

Payments to shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends and interest on capital attributed to shareholders

 

(500

)

 

(2,100

)

(1,500

)

(4,200

)

Dividends and interest on capital attributed to noncontrolling interest

 

(3

)

 

(55

)

(15

)

(66

)

Other transactions with noncontrolling interest

 

 

1,089

 

 

1,049

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(470

)

1,227

 

(2,035

)

1,703

 

(3,861

)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(863

)

1,545

 

(3,765

)

35

 

(1,022

)

Cash and cash equivalents in the beginning of the period

 

4,397

 

3,158

 

7,882

 

3,974

 

5,321

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

57

 

(306

)

(143

)

(418

)

(325

)

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

3,591

 

4,397

 

3,974

 

3,591

 

3,974

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on loans and financing

 

(305

)

(381

)

(324

)

(1,462

)

(1,560

)

Income taxes

 

(162

)

(47

)

(197

)

(527

)

(504

)

Income taxes - settlement program

 

(86

)

(89

)

(111

)

(384

)

(494

)

Derivatives received (paid), net

 

(275

)

(167

)

(319

)

(1,202

)

 

Non-cash transactions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment - interest capitalization

 

193

 

195

 

184

 

761

 

588

 

 

71



Table of Contents

 

ANNEX 2 — VOLUMES SOLD, PRICES AND MARGINS

 

Volume sold - Minerals and metals

 

‘000 metric tons

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015

 

2014

 

Iron ore fines

 

79,213

 

70,530

 

74,603

 

276,393

 

255,877

 

ROM

 

1,627

 

3,546

 

3,552

 

12,269

 

14,075

 

Pellets

 

10,837

 

11,961

 

12,686

 

46,284

 

43,682

 

Manganese ore

 

568

 

448

 

828

 

1,764

 

1,879

 

Ferroalloys

 

12

 

3

 

36

 

69

 

150

 

Thermal coal

 

226

 

243

 

310

 

891

 

1,152

 

Metallurgical coal

 

1,329

 

1,419

 

1,815

 

5,614

 

6,330

 

Nickel

 

84

 

72

 

69

 

292

 

272

 

Copper

 

108

 

94

 

95

 

397

 

353

 

Gold (‘000 oz)

 

114

 

105

 

97

 

425

 

351

 

Silver (‘000 oz)

 

761

 

528

 

757

 

2,303

 

1,889

 

PGMs (‘000 oz)

 

140

 

83

 

168

 

517

 

577

 

Cobalt (metric ton)

 

1,433

 

468

 

1,311

 

3,840

 

3,188

 

Potash

 

114

 

155

 

121

 

463

 

475

 

Phosphates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAP

 

266

 

348

 

249

 

1,081

 

1,040

 

TSP

 

113

 

317

 

112

 

744

 

749

 

SSP

 

317

 

740

 

367

 

1,847

 

2,091

 

DCP

 

119

 

118

 

118

 

459

 

493

 

Phosphate rock

 

811

 

769

 

935

 

3,193

 

3,259

 

Others phosphates

 

68

 

74

 

71

 

330

 

271

 

Nitrogen

 

154

 

185

 

172

 

641

 

680

 

 

Average sale prices

 

US$/ton

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015

 

2014

 

Iron ore fines CFR reference price (dmt)

 

45.10

 

56.00

 

75.50

 

54.60

 

92.70

 

Iron ore fines CFR/FOB realized price

 

37.18

 

46.48

 

61.23

 

44.61

 

75.43

 

ROM

 

7.99

 

6.77

 

11.82

 

8.31

 

15.28

 

Pellets CFR/FOB (wmt)

 

71.98

 

73.82

 

100.11

 

77.78

 

120.48

 

Manganese ore

 

7.04

 

52.14

 

111.11

 

56.44

 

118.15

 

Ferroalloys

 

750.00 

 

836.67

 

1083.33

 

904.16

 

1,125.83

 

Thermal coal

 

44.19

 

48.24

 

64.52

 

52.42

 

67.65

 

Metallurgical coal

 

73.75

 

81.22

 

99.72

 

85.55

 

104.37

 

Nickel

 

9,309.52

 

10,865.81

 

15,420.29

 

11,684.33

 

16,426.47

 

Copper

 

3,823.90

 

3,891.78

 

5,842.10

 

4,352.94

 

6,015.47

 

Platinum (US$/oz)

 

817.60

 

1,004.75

 

1,224.87

 

1,020.14

 

1,261.87

 

Gold (US$/oz)

 

1,064.48

 

1,094.81

 

1,189.96

 

1,064.48

 

1,192.51

 

Silver (US$/oz)

 

10.00

 

13.49

 

14.16

 

12.63

 

19.42

 

Cobalt (US$/lb)

 

8.55

 

14.54

 

9.34

 

9.95

 

10.67

 

Potash

 

293.08

 

302.42

 

371.90

 

318.32

 

355.79

 

Phosphates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAP

 

496.45

 

505.21

 

550.70

 

511.70

 

542.44

 

TSP

 

394.48

 

391.50

 

448.41

 

398.05

 

428.98

 

SSP

 

212.88

 

197.17

 

217.14

 

204.45

 

212.61

 

DCP

 

514.90

 

536.10

 

584.94

 

554.88

 

591.51

 

Phosphate rock

 

81.73

 

78.02

 

88.77

 

82.55

 

70.88

 

 

72



Table of Contents

 

Operating margin by segment (EBIT adjusted margin)

 

%

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015

 

2014

 

Ferrous minerals

 

25.5 

 

29.0 

 

18.1 

 

24.0 

 

34.5 

 

Coal

 

(201.9

)

(164.6

)

(133.3

)

(138.4

)

(110.6

)

Base metals

 

(25.6

)

(18.1

)

1.0 

 

(7.3

)

9.5 

 

Fertilizer nutrients

 

10.4 

 

14.0 

 

(2.3

)

11.6 

 

(5.8

)

Total(1)

 

5.4 

 

12.8 

 

9.4 

 

10.7 

 

22.6 

 

 


(1) Excluding non-recurring effects

 

73



Table of Contents

 

Annex 3 — reconciliation of IFRS and “NON-GAAP” information

 

(a) Adjusted EBIT(1)

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Net operating revenues

 

5,899

 

6,505

 

9,072

 

25,609

 

37,539

 

COGS

 

(5,119

)

(5,040

)

(6,892

)

(20,513

)

(25,064

)

SG&A

 

(167

)

(131

)

(306

)

(652

)

(1,099

)

Research and development

 

(119

)

(121

)

(235

)

(477

)

(734

)

Pre-operating and stoppage expenses

 

(238

)

(266

)

(292

)

(1,027

)

(1,088

)

Other operational expenses

 

64

 

(113

)

(491

)

(206

)

(1,057

)

Adjusted EBIT

 

320

 

834

 

856

 

2,734

 

8,497

 

 


(1) Excluding non-recurring effects.

 

(b) Adjusted EBITDA

 

EBITDA defines profit or loss before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. Vale uses the term adjusted EBITDA to reflect exclusion of gains and/or losses on sale of assets, non-recurring expenses and the inclusion of dividends received from non-consolidated affiliates. However our adjusted EBITDA is not the measure defined as EBITDA under IFRS, and may possibly not be comparable with indicators with the same name reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute for operational profit or as a better measure of liquidity than operational cash flow, which are calculated in accordance with IFRS. Vale provides its adjusted EBITDA to give additional information about its capacity to pay debt, carry out investments and cover working capital needs. The following table shows the reconciliation between adjusted EBITDA and operational cash flow, in accordance with its statement of changes in financial position:

 

Reconciliation between adjusted EBITDA and operational cash flow

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

1,391

 

1,875

 

2,187

 

7,081

 

13,353

 

Working capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

985

 

343

 

107

 

1,671

 

2,546

 

Inventories

 

(73

)

(331

)

(63

)

(304

)

(535

)

Suppliers

 

491

 

422

 

503

 

740

 

1,013

 

Payroll and related charges

 

(79

)

53

 

53

 

(603

)

(77

)

Gold stream transaction

 

 

 

 

532

 

 

Others

 

(414

)

(78

)

(257

)

(517

)

(167

)

Adjustment for non-recurring items and other effects

 

(112

)

29

 

(332

)

(470

)

(477

)

Cash provided from operations

 

2,189

 

2,313

 

2,198

 

8,130

 

15,656

 

Income taxes paid - current

 

(162

)

(47

)

(197

)

(527

)

(504

)

Income taxes paid - settlement program

 

(86

)

(89

)

(111

)

(384

)

(494

)

Interest paid for third parties

 

(305

)

(381

)

(324

)

(1,462

)

(1,560

)

Participative stockholders’ debentures paid

 

(26

)

 

(60

)

(65

)

(112

)

Derivatives received (paid), net

 

(275

)

(167

)

(318

)

(1,201

)

(179

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

1,335

 

1,629

 

1,188

 

4,491

 

12,807

 

 

(c) Net debt

 

Reconciliation between total debt and net debt

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Total debt

 

28,853

 

28,675

 

28,807

 

28,853

 

28,807

 

Cash and cash equivalents(1)

 

3,619

 

4,462

 

4,122

 

3,619

 

4,122

 

Net debt

 

25,234

 

24,213

 

24,685

 

25,234

 

24,685

 

 


(1) Including financial investments.

 

74



Table of Contents

 

(d) Total debt / LTM Adjusted EBITDA

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

Total debt / LTM Adjusted EBITDA (x)

 

4.1

 

3.6

 

2.2

 

4.1

 

2.2

 

Total debt / LTM operational cash flow (x)

 

6.4

 

6.6

 

2.2

 

6.4

 

2.2

 

 

(e) LTM Adjusted EBITDA / LTM interest payments

 

US$ million

 

4Q15

 

3Q15

 

4Q14

 

2015 

 

2014 

 

LTM adjusted EBITDA / LTM interest payments (x)

 

4.8

 

5.3

 

8.6

 

4.8

 

8.6

 

LTM operational profit / LTM interest payments (x)

 

(4.3

)

2.0

 

4.7

 

(4.3

)

4.7

 

 

75



Table of Contents

 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Vale S.A.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Rogerio Nogueira

Date: February 25, 2016

 

Director of Investor Relations

 

76