The world's no. 2 producer has partially suspended services on the Estrada de Ferro Vitoria a Minas Gerais railway as well as production at its southeastern and southern systems "to guarantee the safety of its employees and communities," it said in a statement Monday. Gerdau SA, Cia. Siderurgica Nacional SA and Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA also suspended operations in Minas Gerais this week. While the region represented 40% of Vale's output in the nine months through September, the company reiterated production guidance of 320 million to 335 million tonnes in 2022. Output may now be at the low end of the range, analysts said. Regular operations continued for the Northern system, where Vale produces 60% of its total annual iron ore volumes. In December, Brazil had 40 tailings dams on the emergency level, 36 of which are in Minas Gerais, according to the country's mining regulator. Three of those — all owned by Vale — are at the highest alert of level 3.