Brazil: Samarco’s iron ore production rises 4% q-o-q in Q2CY’26 as sales recover

• Sales rebound 23% q-o-q after weaker in Q1CY’26
• Pellet prices decline 4% q-o-q amid softer market

Samarco’s iron ore (pellets and fines) production increased 4% quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) to 3.9 million tonnes (mnt) in Q2CY’26, reflecting continued operations at structurally higher production levels. Sales also rebounded sharply, rising 23% q-o-q to 3.9 mnt as shipment volumes normalised following a softer first quarter.

Despite the recovery in volumes, the company’s average pellet sale price declined 4% q-o-q to $124.9/t, reflecting a weaker iron ore pricing environment during the quarter.

On a first-half basis, Samarco’s production increased 8% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 7.7 mnt, while sales rose 4% y-o-y to 7.1 mnt, indicating improved operational performance despite softer realised prices.