Vale is a producer of iron ore and iron ore pellets, raw materials for steelmaking, and producer of nickel, which is used to produce stainless steel and metal alloys employed in the production of several products. Co. also produces manganese ore, ferroalloys, metallurgical and thermal coal, copper, platinum group metals ("PGMs"), gold, silver, cobalt, potash, phosphates and other fertilizer nutrients. Co. is engaged in greenfield mineral exploration in six countries around the globe. Co. operates in five segments: ferrous minerals, coal, base metals, fertilizers, and others.