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

Companhia Vale do Rio Doce

Avenida Graça Aranha, No. 26
20030-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
(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  þ 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  þ

(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  þ

(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  þ

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

 

 

Vale — 2008 Production Report

ADJUSTING TO THE GLOBAL DEMAND SHOCK

Rio de Janeiro, January 21, 2009 — Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (Vale) is managing its production in accordance with the new global economic outlook emerging from the financial market stress, which has caused a strong recessionary impact on the real economy.

In response to the ensuing significant negative shock on the global demand for minerals and metals, Vale has acted proactively to cut back production. We have shut down the higher-cost lower-quality output mines in our operational universe alongside other measures to fine tune our activities to the assessment of the demand prospects in the short-term.

The numbers for iron ore production in 4Q08 — showing a quarter-over-quarter decrease of 26.3% - illustrate the effort that is being made by Vale to adjust its operational activities to the current demand levels.

As a result of very good operational performance in previous quarters, Vale was able to achieve for the year eight annual production records: nickel (275,400 metric tons), bauxite (11.7 million metric tons), alumina (5.0 million metric tons), copper (311,600 metric tons), coal (4.1 million metric tons), cobalt (2,828 metric tons), palladium (231,000 oz troy) and gold (85,000 oz troy).

FERROUS MINERALS

•

Iron ore

																						% change				% change				% change
000’ metric tons		4Q07				3Q08				4Q08				2007				2008				4Q08/3Q08				4Q08/4Q07				2008/2007
IRON ORE			80,099				85,884				63,274				303,163				301,696				-26.3	%			-21.0	%			-0.5	%
Southeastern System			30,743				33,186				23,066				113,781				115,428				-30.5	%			-25.0	%			1.4	%
Itabira			11,799				11,553				7,749				46,710				41,849				-32.9	%			-34.3	%			-10.4	%
Mariana			9,507				10,501				7,653				33,135				36,150				-27.1	%			-19.5	%			9.1	%
Minas Centrais			9,437				11,132				7,664				33,936				37,429				-31.2	%			-18.8	%			10.3	%
Southern System			22,598				23,025				15,599				89,337				80,461				-32.3	%			-31.0	%			-9.9	%
MBR			16,849				17,286				11,309				68,276				60,015				-34.6	%			-32.9	%			-12.1	%
Minas do Oeste			5,749				5,739				4,290				21,061				20,446				-25.2	%			-25.4	%			-2.9	%
Carajás			24,620				26,751				22,306				91,687				96,495				-16.6	%			-9.4	%			5.2	%
Samarco1			1,870				2,633				2,060				7,231				8,322				-21.8	%			10.1	%			15.1	%
Urucum			267				289				244				1,128				990				-15.7	%			-8.7	%			-12.2	%

Vale’s iron ore output reached 301.7 Mt in 2008, showing a slight decrease, 0.5%, relatively to 2007, when it reached 303.2 Mt ^2,3. This was the first reduction in Vale’s annual production of iron ore production since 1999. From 2001 to 2007 it has grown at an annual average rate of 13.4%, as a consequence of productivity gains and large investments to increase capacity to meet a fast growing global demand.

Given the unprecedented demand contraction across the globe resulting from a substantial cutback in steel production, our iron ore production in the last quarter of 2008 reached 63.3 Mt, decreasing by 26.3% relatively to 3Q08 and 21.0% against 4Q07.

The Southeastern and Southern Systems, which have been responsible for 2/3 of our iron ore production, were responsible for 77.6% of the output reduction of 22.6 Mt in comparison to the level reached in 3Q08. Due to lower iron contents relatively to Carajás and the utilization of a third-party railroad — MRS — to transport the production of the Southern System to two of our maritime terminals — Guaíba Island and Itaguaí — costs are higher than in the Northern System, home to the highest quality iron ore in the world.

The Southeastern System, which encompasses the Itabira, Mariana and Minas Centrais iron ore mines, was responsible in 2008 for a record production of 115.4 Mt, contributing with 38.3% of Vale’s annual production. In 4Q08 its output of 23.1 Mt was 30.5 % below the 3Q08 level.

The Southern System — MBR and Minas do Oeste — produced 80.5 Mt in 2008, 9.9% lower than in 2007. The 4Q08 production decreased 32.3% relatively to 3Q08.

Carajás output reached 96.5 Mt in 2008, setting a new record, up 5.2% on the previous year’s production. Given the stoppage during the year-end holidays, production was 22.3 Mt in 4Q08 versus 26.8 Mt in 3Q08.

•

Pellets

																						% change				% change				% change
000’ metric tons		4Q07				3Q08				4Q08				2007				2008				4Q08/3Q08				4Q08/4Q07				2008/2007
PELLETS1			11,662				12,748				9,572				44,825				44,762				-24.9	%			-17.9	%			-0.1	%
Tubarão I and II			1,681				1,666				1,143				6,369				6,096				-31.4	%			-32.0	%			-4.3	%
Fabrica			1,117				1,091				965				4,148				4,165				-11.5	%			-13.6	%			0.4	%
São Luís			1,852				1,876				1,790				7,053				6,960				-4.6	%			-3.3	%			-1.3	%
Nibrasco2			2,347				2,559				1,918				8,966				8,775				-25.1	%			-18.3	%			-2.1	%
Kobrasco			1,283				1,281				1,125				4,971				4,935				-12.2	%			-12.3	%			-0.7	%
Hispanobras			466				581				210				2,173				1,938				-63.9	%			-55.0	%			-10.8	%
Itabrasco			1,012				1,040				384				4,015				3,321				-63.1	%			-62.0	%			-17.3	%
Samarco3			1,904				2,654				2,038				7,130				8,572				-23.2	%			7.0	%			20.2	%

Vale’s attributable production of pellets, in which volumes produced by our joint ventures — Hispanobras and Samarco — are computed in proportion to our stakes, reached 44.8 Mt in 2008, approximately the same level as 2007. Vale produced 30.6 Mt of blast furnace pellets in 2008 while direct reduction pellets output reached 14.2 Mt.

In order to deal with the global demand reduction and to avoid inventory build-up, during 4Q08 Vale shutdown five of the seven pellet plants located at the port of Tubarão, in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil. In addition, two other pellet plants, São Luís, at the state of Maranhão, and Fabrica, at the state of Minas Gerais, were shutdown in January 2009. Therefore, only two of the nine pellet plants are currently operating.

By the same token, the start-up of operations of our new pellet plant, Itabiritos, was postponed and our joint venture Samarco is keeping two of its three pellet plants idled since the end of November 2008.

As a consequence of the slower pace of operational activity, our pellet production reached 9.6 Mt in 4Q08, down 24.9% compared with 3Q08.

The Samarco contribution to our total production was 8.6 Mt in 2008, against 7.1 Mt in 2007. In 4Q08, it decreased 23.2% relatively to 3Q08.

•

Manganese ore and ferroalloys

																						% change				% change				% change
000’ metric tons		4Q07				3Q08				4Q08				2007				2008				4Q08/3Q08				4Q08/4Q07				2008/2007
MANGANESE ORE			118				694				491				1,333				2,383				-29.2	%			316.0	%			78.7	%
Azul			47				561				392				945				2,003				-30.2	%			739.9	%			111.8	%
Urucum			71				75				57				277				246				-23.3	%			-19.8	%			-11.3	%
Other mines			0				58				42				111				135				-27.9	%			n.m.				21.2	%
FERROALLOY			137				130				84				542				475				-35.5	%			-38.6	%			-12.4	%
Brazil			79				78				59				288				288				-24.7	%			-25.7	%			0.1	%
Dunkerque			16				16				0				103				55				n.a.				n.a.				-46.6	%
Mo I Rana			37				30				21				129				112				-29.4	%			-42.1	%			-13.1	%
Urucum			5				5				4				22				20				-29.7	%			-28.5	%			-11.3	%

Production of manganese ore totaled 2.4 Mt in 2008, up 78.7% compared with 2007. The Azul mine produced 2.0 Mt in 2008 versus 1.0 Mt in 2007, when its operations were temporarily suspended.

Our ferroalloy production in 2008 amounted to 475,000 t, lower than the level achieved in 2007, of 542,000 t. In 2008, ferroalloy production was comprised of 213,400 t of ferrosilicon manganese alloys (FeSiMn), 209,400 t of high-carbon manganese alloys (FeMnAc) and 51,900 t of medium-carbon manganese alloys (FeMnMC).

Our manganese ore mines and ferroalloy plants in Brazil were shut down in December 2008 and are expected to resume operations by February 2009. The ferroalloy plant in Mo I Rana, Norway, had its furnace maintenance extended until June 2009. Our ferroalloy operations in Dunkerque, France, stopped in August 2008 due to problems with the electric furnace and will be kept idle until April 2009.

Due to the announced cutbacks, manganese ore production in 4Q08 was 491,000 t, compared with 694,000 t in 3Q08 and 118,000 t in 4Q07. The production of ferroalloys was reduced by 35.5% against 3Q08, reaching only 84,000 metric tons.

NON-FERROUS MINERALS

•

Nickel

																						% change				% change				% change
000’ metric tons		4Q07				3Q08				4Q08				2007				2008				4Q08/3Q08				4Q08/4Q07				2008/2007
NICKEL1			69.0				72.4				73.2				247.9				275.4				1.1	%			6.1	%			11.1	%
Sudbury			16.9				18.4				28.8				70.7				85.3				56.6	%			71.1	%			20.6	%
Thompson			8.4				7.6				7.5				29.8				28.9				-1.5	%			-10.4	%			-3.2	%
Voisey’s Bay			20.5				21.9				19.2				58.9				77.5				-12.2	%			-6.3	%			31.6	%
Sorowako			20.6				19.1				14.5				75.8				68.3				-23.9	%			-29.2	%			-9.9	%
Others*			2.7				5.4				3.1				12.7				15.4				-43.2	%			14.5	%			21.0	%

Our finished nickel production reached an all-time high in 2008, at 275,400 t, rising 11.1% relatively to 2007. This performance highlights the ongoing improvement in asset performance, a consequence of our efforts to upgrade existing facilities.

The volume produced in 4Q08 — 73,200 t — increased 1.1% compared to 3Q08, as Sudbury showed a strong increase in production in 4Q08.

Finished nickel originated from Sudbury, located in the Canadian province of Ontario, was 85,300 t in 2008, 14,600 t higher than the level reached in 2007, as a result of strong operational performance at the mines, mill, smelter complex and refineries. The increase in Sudbury source output came simultaneously with a rising production of finished nickel pellets and powders from both the Copper Cliff Nickel Refinery, at Sudbury, and the Clydach Refinery ², in Wales, UK, and decreased sinter production.

The higher proportion of pellet and powder production was also reflective of availability and high feed quality from matte processing, and excellent operating performance at both refineries, which was due largely to capital investment in new equipment.

Production at Thompson, in the province of Manitoba, was 28,900 t in 2008. In 4Q08, it decreased 1.5% over 4Q07.

Voisey’s Bay nickel-in-concentrate production in 2008 was 77,500 t, which was 18,600 t higher than 2007. This is due to continuing above-plan ore grades and good asset performance. In 4Q08 its production was 19,200 t, being 2,700 t below 3Q08.

Nickel-in-matte output from our Indonesian operations at Sorowako amounted to 68,300 t in 2008, below the 75,800 t reached last year. The production of Sorowako was 14,500 t in 4Q08, 6,100 t below that of 4Q07 and 4,600 t below 3Q08. This was primarily due to the decision to reduce production to adjust to the lower demand for utility nickel arising from the sharp decrease in global stainless steel output. We have decided to shut down production fed by thermal power generation and rely solely on less expensive hydroelectric power generated by our Larona and Balambano plants. This is an important measure given the energy intensiveness of saprolitic nickel processing.

•

Bauxite

																						% change				% change				% change
000’ metric tons		4Q07				3Q08				4Q08				2007				2008				4Q08/3Q08				4Q08/4Q07				2008/2007
BAUXITE			2,668				3,198				3,541				9,114				11,628				10.7	%			32.7	%			27.6	%
Trombetas1			1,850				1,883				1,980				7,223				7,225				5.2	%			7.1	%			0.0	%
Paragominas			819				1,316				1,561				1,890				4,403				18.6	%			90.6	%			132.9	%

In 2008, bauxite production hit an all-time high of 11.6 Mt, 27.6% above the previous record of 9.1 Mt.

In 4Q08 it reached a new record of 3.5 Mt, an increase of 32.7% compared with 2.7 Mt in 4Q07, primarily as a result of the Paragominas ramp up. Vale`s attributable production at Trombetas also set a new record, of 2.0 Mt.

The Paragominas bauxite mine, in the Brazilian state of Pará, produced 4.4 Mt in 2008, as its first expansion — Paragominas II — began ramping up in May 2008, adding 4.5 Mtpy to the total nominal capacity.

The Paragominas mine is linked to the Alunorte alumina refinery by the first bauxite pipeline in the world. Since the onset of the operations the bauxite produced has had smaller granules than planned, causing lower than expected performance. To eliminate this problem additional filters were ordered. This will allow us to run Paragominas at its capacity of 9.9 Mt from 1H10 onwards.

•

Alumina

																						% change				% change				% change
000’ metric tons		4Q07				3Q08				4Q08				2007				2008				4Q08/3Q08				4Q08/4Q07				2008/2007
ALUMINA			1,158				1,309				1,597				4,253				5,028				22.0	%			38.0	%			18.2	%
Alunorte			1,158				1,309				1,597				4,253				5,028				22.0	%			38.0	%			18.2	%

Vale produced 5.0 Mt of alumina in 2008, up 18.2% against 2007, setting a new record figure.

Stages 6 and 7 of the Barcarena refinery started ramping up in June and July 2008, respectively, augmenting its nominal capacity to 6.26 million metric tons per year.

The volume produced in 4Q08 reached 1.6 Mt as against 1.2 Mt in 4Q07 and 1.3 Mt in 3Q08.

•

Aluminum

																						% change				% change				% change
000’ metric tons		4Q07				3Q08				4Q08				2007				2008				4Q08/3Q08				4Q08/4Q07				2008/2007
ALUMINUM			139				140				135				551				543				-3.2	%			-2.5	%			-1.5	%
Albras			114				115				115				455				455				-0.2	%			0.8	%			0.0	%
Valesul			25				25				20				95				87				-17.1	%			-17.5	%			-8.5	%

Our production of aluminum was 543,000 t in 2008 versus 551,000 t in 2007, due to an 8,000 t shortfall at the Valesul smelter.

In 4Q08, production reached 135,000 t against 140,000 t in the previous quarter. The production of Albras remained constant at 115,000 t while it was reduced by 5,000 t at Valesul.

In line with our strategic decision to implement larger production cutbacks at higher cost units, Valesul production will be temporarily limited to 40% of its nominal annual capacity of 95,000 t, to comply with contractual obligations.

•

Copper

																						% change				% change				% change
000’ metric tons		4Q07				3Q08				4Q08				2007				2008				4Q08/3Q08				4Q08/4Q07				2008/2007
COPPER			74.3				80.2				81.6				284.4				311.6				1.8	%			9.9	%			9.6	%
Sossego			32.0				32.8				32.6				118.0				125.9				-0.7	%			1.9	%			6.7	%
Sudbury			29.2				30.8				28.0				113.2				115.3				-8.9	%			-4.1	%			1.9	%
Thompson			0.3				0.3				0.3				1.3				1.4				-14.0	%			-16.0	%			7.1	%
Voisey’s Bay			10.5				13.2				16.1				42.3				55.4				21.9	%			53.8	%			31.1	%
Others			2.0				3.0				4.6				9.4				13.5				51.7	%			135.6	%			43.7	%

Vale’s copper production totaled 311,600 t in 2008 setting a new record and increasing by 9.6% relatively to 2007.

Copper-in-concentrate production at Sossego, Carajás, was 125,900 t in 2008, increasing 6.7% against 118,000 t in 2007 when there was a maintenance stoppage at the processing plant in 3Q07.

The Canadian operations, where copper is produced as a by-product of nickel, were responsible for 172,100 t, equal to 55.2% of our total production in 2008. This meant an increase of 15,300 t over 2007, primarily driven by higher copper grades at Voisey’s Bay.

Production in 4Q08 reached 81,600 t, with a 1.8% increase over 3Q08.

•

Nickel by-products

																						% change				% change				% change
		4Q07				3Q08				4Q08				2007				2008				4Q08/3Q08				4Q08/4Q07				2008/2007
COBALT (metric tons)			680				750				792				2,524				2,828				5.6	%			16.4	%			12.1	%
Sudbury			127				210				294				727				804				40.1	%			132.0	%			10.6	%
Thompson			47				44				22				179				168				-49.5	%			-52.7	%			-6.4	%
Voisey’s Bay			430				447				469				1,239				1,695				4.9	%			8.9	%			36.8	%
Others			77				50				8				379				161				-84.7	%			-90.0	%			-57.5	%
PLATINUM (000’oz troy)			29				44				43				140				166				-2.1	%			49.0	%			19.1	%
Sudbury			29				44				43				140				166				-2.1	%			49.0	%			19.1	%
PALLADIUM (000’oz troy)			40				66				62				191				231				-6.1	%			57.8	%			20.8	%
Sudbury			40				66				62				191				231				-6.1	%			57.8	%			20.8	%
GOLD (000’ oz troy)			14				24				21				75				85				-13.7	%			43.8	%			13.7	%
Sudbury			14				24				21				75				85				-13.7	%			43.8	%			13.7	%
SILVER (000’ oz troy)			522				650				574				2,199				2,308				-11.6	%			9.9	%			5.0	%
Sudbury			522				650				574				2,199				2,308				-11.6	%			9.9	%			5.0	%

The production for all nickel by-products increased in 2008 relatively to 2007.

In 2008, cobalt production reached a record of 2,828 t, with a 12.1% increase relative to last year, driven by the good performance of Voisey`s Bay. Cobalt production in 4Q08 was 792 t, 5.6% above 3Q08 and 16.4% higher than 4Q07. This is due to improved recoveries through Sudbury and continuing higher ore grades at Voisey’s Bay.

Platinum and palladium outputs increased by 19.1% and 20.8%, respectively, in 2008. Production of PGM’s and precious metals for 4Q08 was above 4Q07.

•

Potash

																						% change				% change				% change
000’ metric tons		4Q07				3Q08				4Q08				2007				2008				4Q08/3Q08				4Q08/4Q07				2008/2007
POTASH			173				172				102				671				607				-40.9	%			-41.3	%			-9.6	%
Taquari-Vassouras			173				172				102				671				607				-40.9	%			-41.3	%			-9.6	%

Annual production at Taquari-Vassouras reached 607,000 t in 2008, showing a decrease of 9.6% compared to the previous year.

Our potash operations were temporarily shut down in November 2008, following the slump in global demand. This resulted in a sharp reduction in the 4Q08 output, 40.9% against 3Q08, amounting to 102,000 t.

•

Kaolin

																						% change				% change				% change
000’ metric tons		4Q07				3Q08				4Q08				2007				2008				4Q08/3Q08				4Q08/4Q07				2008/2007
KAOLIN			379				314				231				1,354				1,129				-26.4	%			-39.1	%			-16.6	%
PPSA			185				136				99				639				528				-27.1	%			-46.5	%			-17.5	%
Cadam			194				178				132				714				602				-25.8	%			-32.0	%			-15.8	%

In 2008, Vale`s production of kaolin reached 1.1 Mt, below the 2007 figure of 1.4 Mt. At PPSA, 528,000 t were produced in 2008, decreasing 17.5% against 2007, while at Cadam the production was 602,000 t, down 15.8%.

The slowdown of kaolin demand for paper coating led us to cut back production by 30% at both of our subsidiaries, Cadam and PPSA. Production for 4Q08 amounted to 231,000 t, down 39.1% versus 4Q07 and 26.4% against 3Q08.

COAL

																						% change				% change				% change
000’ metric tons		4Q07				3Q08				4Q08				20071				2008				4Q08/3Q08				4Q08/4Q07				2008/2007
METALLURGICAL COAL			758				686				703				1,764				2,808				2.4	%			-7.2	%			59.2	%
Integra Coal			548				448				441				1,214				1,747				-1.6	%			-19.6	%			43.9	%
Carborough Downs			101				76				126				269				429				66.1	%			24.0	%			59.6	%
Broadlea			5				60				45				32				249				-25.8	%			n.m.				n.m.
Other			103				103				92				249				382				-10.3	%			-10.3	%			53.5	%
THERMAL COAL			220				362				387				440				1,286				7.1	%			75.6	%			192.1	%
Integra Coal			118				116				184				255				557				58.2	%			55.5	%			118.2	%
Broadlea			2				209				150				14				582				-28.0	%			n.m.				n.m.
Other			100				37				53				171				147				44.7	%			-47.1	%			-13.7	%

Coal production was 4.1 Mt in 2008, comprised of 2.8 Mt of metallurgical coal and 1.3 Mt of thermal coal. Total coal production in 4Q08 reached a record of 1.1 Mt, 703,000 t of which is metallurgical coal and 387,000 t thermal coal.

Most of our coal production – 57.3% of Vale’s total – comes from Integra Coal in the Hunter Valley, state of New South Wales, Australia, where the production in 4Q08 was impacted by problems on feed rate, overall utilization of the coal handling preparation plant (CHPP) and the wet weather in December.

Production of coal at Carborough Downs totaled 126,000 t in 4Q08, as a result of an improvement in its performance.

The joint production of Broadlea and Carborough Downs is transported through the Goonyella logistic corridor, connecting the mines of Central Queensland Bowen Basin to the Dalrymple Bay coal terminal. Broadlea produced a total of 195,000 t during 4Q08, which was impacted by low performance of the CHPP, shared by the two mines.

For further information, please contact:
+55-21-3814-4540
Roberto Castello Branco: roberto.castello.branco@vale.com
Alessandra Gadelha: alessandra.gadelha@vale.com
Marcus Thieme: marcus.thieme@vale.com
Patrícia Calazans: patrícia.calazans@vale.com
Roberta Coutinho: roberta.coutinho@vale.com
Theo Penedo: theo.penedo@vale.com
Tacio Neto: tacio.neto@vale.com

This press release may include declarations that present Vale’s expectations in relation to future events or results. All declarations, when based upon future expectations and not on historical facts involve various risks and uncertainties. Vale cannot guarantee that such declarations will come to be correct. These risks and uncertainties include factors related to the following: (a) countries where we operate, mainly Brazil and Canada; (b) global economy; (c) capital markets; (d) iron ore and nickel businesses and their dependence upon the global steel industry, which is cyclical by nature; (e) factors of high degree of global competition in the markets which Vale operates. To obtain further information on factors that may give origin to results different from those forecasted by Vale, please consult the reports filed with the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM), the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the most recent Annual Report — Vale Form 20F and 6K forms.

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.