Nov. 27, 2006 — Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD) has signed a new long-term contract with ThyssenKrupp Steel AG to supply iron ore and pellets to ThyssenKrupp CSA Companhia Siderurgica (CSA), a joint venture between ThyssenKrupp and CVRD.

CVRD, through its subsidiary MBR, will supply iron ore and pellets to the five-million tonne/year steel slab plant CSA is constructing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Under the exclusive, 15-year supply contract, MBR will supply 2.7 million tonnes of pellets and 5.9 million tonnes of iron ore per year to CSA. Start-up of the new plant is targeted for the first half of 2009.

CVRD says this agreement supports its strategy to promote the expansion of the Brazilian steel industry, through minority and temporary stakes in projects in Brazil. The agreement also highlights CVRD’s unique capability as a long-term reliable supplier of high quality iron ore at competitive prices, given its large-scale operations and excellence.

CVRD is the largest metals and mining company in the Americas and one of the largest in the global metals and mining industry. It is the largest global producer of iron ore and pellets, the world's second largest producer of nickel, manganese and ferroalloys, one of the world's lowest cost producers of aluminum products (bauxite, alumina and primary aluminum) and a producer of copper, potash and kaolin. CVRD is the largest logistics player in Brazil.

With sales of 42.1 billion euros and 184,000 employees in over 70 countries, ThyssenKrupp is one of the world's major technology groups and occupies excellent positions on the international markets. The three main business areas of steel, capital goods and services, organized in five segments — Steel, Stainless, Technologies, Elevator and Services – mark out the Group's areas of competence. With sales of 9.6 billion euros and 30,000 employees ThyssenKrupp Steel is a global player holding leading positions worldwide. The segment is organized into the business units Steelmaking, Industry, Auto and Processing.