Severe rains in the Minas Gerais state in Brazil have halted production on several Vale iron ore mines, the Brazilian miner said.

Vale has partially suspended production at some of the complexes in the Southeastern System due to the impassability on stretches of local highways.

Output has been halted at the Brucutu mine and the Mariana iron ore complex due to the inability to transport the ore via train. Production at the Itabira complex remains unaffected by the inclement weather.

All of Vale's iron ore mining complexes in the Southern System have had to temporarily suspend production.

Production at the company's Northern System has been unaffected, and is still expected to attain iron ore production guidance of 320 to 335 million tonnes.

Vale said it is monitoring its tailings dams "24 hours a day" through the Geotechnical Monitoring Centres. There has been no change in emergency levels at the dams.