SAO PAULO, July 22 (Reuters) - Brazilian miner Vale

produced 83.6 million metric tons of iron ore in the

second quarter, up 3.7% from a year earlier, the company

reported on Tuesday.

In its output and sales report, Vale said the increase

was mainly driven by a "strong performance" at the Brazilian

Brucutu plant, and a new output record for a second quarter at

the S11D mining project, also located in Brazil.

"In iron ore, the combination of new assets ramping up

and greater operational reliability is supporting stronger

adherence to the 2025 production plan," Vale said.

The company, one of the largest iron ore producers in

the world, expects to produce between 325 million and 335

million tons of iron ore this year.

Vale reported sales of the steelmaking ingredient at

77.3 million tons, a 3.1% decline year-on-year, with the

company's average realized price of iron ore fines landing at

$85.1 per ton, a 13.3% decline.