SAO PAULO/RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 24 (Reuters) -

Brazilian miner Vale, one of the world's largest iron ore

producers, said on Thursday its third-quarter net profit fell

15% from a year earlier, hit by lower prices of the steel-making

ingredient and provisions related to the Mariana dam collapse.

Still, Vale posted a $2.41 billion net profit for

the quarter ended in September, well above analysts' estimates

for a $1.65 billion profit as polled by LSEG.

Vale reported a 10% decline in its net revenue year-on-year

to $9.55 billion, almost in line with the $9.44 billion analysts

had expected.

Its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes,

depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) came in at $3.62 billion

in the quarter, down 18% from a year earlier and also broadly

meeting analysts' estimates of $3.61 billion.

Vale had already released earlier this month its

third-quarter sales and output report, which showed the highest

iron ore production for a quarter since 2018, while realized

prices of iron ore fines dropped 14%.

Vale also had anticipated it expected third-quarter

earnings to reflect more than $900 million in new liabilities

related to the deadly dam collapse near the city of Mariana, as

the firm is set to sign, together with miners BHP and Samarco, a

$30 billion compensation deal with authorities on Friday.

($1 = 5.6653 reais)