Will Vale’s Strategy of Preserving Optionality in Nickel Work?

Is a Valuation Rerating in the Cards for Vale Stock? Vale’s (VALE) base metal (DBB) production, including nickel and copper production, was in line with its decision to lower its footprint by putting non-competitive mines on care and maintenance. Vale’s strategy is to preserve its optionality in nickel in case of higher demand for nickel class I. Nickel production, therefore, reached 58,600 tons in the first quarter, a decline of 18% year-over-year and 25 sequentially.