SAO PAULO, April 29 (Reuters) - Brazilian miner Vale

is studying alternatives for its nickel portfolio

including selling, making partnerships or idling assets, as the

market faces a challenging short-term scenario, Chief Executive

Gustavo Pimenta said on Tuesday.

Pimenta told reporters in Rio de Janeiro the market is

oversupplied due to output from Indonesia. "Nickel remains

attractive in the medium and long-term. The question is how to

remain profitable in the short term," he said.