United States
Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Companhia Vale do Rio Doce

Avenida Graça Aranha, No. 26
20030-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
(Address of principal executive office)

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)

(Check One) Form 20-F þ Form 40-F o

(Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1))

(Check One) Yes o No þ

(Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7))

(Check One) Yes  o No þ

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)

(Check One) Yes o No þ

(If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b). 82-___.)

 

 

Table of Contents

Press Release

Signature Page

Vale – 3Q08 Production Report

STRONG AND STEADY PERFORMANCE: NEW RECORDS

Rio de Janeiro, October 23, 2008 – Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (Vale) achieved in the third quarter of 2008 (3Q08) one of the best operational performances in its history, with eight records in quarterly production: iron ore (85.9 million metric tons), pellets (12.2 million metric tons), nickel (72,400 metric tons), bauxite (3.2 million metric tons), alumina (1.3 million metric tons), aluminum (140,000 metric tons), cobalt (750 metric tons) and thermal coal (362,000 metric tons).

This performance derives from our consistent track record of delivering organic growth and operational excellence. Given our wealth of world-class assets and financial strength, we are well positioned to continue to invest and to exploit our competitive advantages.

In light of the risks posed by the current global economic environment, Vale retains the option to manage the execution of its production program in accordance with market conditions.

FERROUS MINERALS

Ú Iron ore – a new record quarter

																						%change				%change				%change
000’ metric tons		3Q07				2Q08				3Q08				9M07				9M08				3Q08/2Q08				3Q08/3Q07				9M08/9M07
IRON ORE			80,170				78,050				85,884				223,065				238,422				10.0	%			7.1	%			6.9	%
Southeastern System			30,018				30,549				33,186				83,038				92,362				8.6	%			10.6	%			11.2	%
Itabira			12,082				11,682				11,553				34,911				34,100				-1.1	%			-4.4	%			-2.3	%
Mariana			8,548				8,987				10,501				23,628				28,497				16.9	%			22.8	%			20.6	%
Minas Centrais			9,388				9,880				11,132				24,499				29,765				12.7	%			18.6	%			21.5	%
Southern System			23,741				22,120				23,025				66,739				64,863				4.1	%			-3.0	%			-2.8	%
MBR			18,158				16,800				17,286				51,427				48,707				2.9	%			-4.8	%			-5.3	%
Minas do Oeste			5,583				5,320				5,739				15,311				16,156				7.9	%			2.8	%			5.5	%
Carajás			24,263				23,239				26,751				67,067				74,189				15.1	%			10.3	%			10.6	%
Samarco1			1,863				1,855				2,633				5,360				6,262				41.9	%			41.3	%			16.8	%
Urucum			285				288				289				861				747				0.5	%			1.5	%			-13.3	%

Iron ore production in 3Q08 was the highest in Vale’s history, amounting to 85.9 million metric tons (Mt), up 7.1% compared to 80.2 Mt in 3Q07, including our attributable production at Samarco – a joint venture in which we own a 50% stake. Over the last twelve-month period ended on September 30, 2008 our iron ore output reached 318.5 Mt².

In the first nine months of this year Vale produced 238.4 Mt, which is also a new record, being up 6.9% on 9M07. The additional 15.4 Mt was mainly due to the output increase at the Carajás, Brucutu and Fazendão mines.

Carajás produced 26.8 Mt in 3Q08, running at an annualized output of 107 Mtpy. It was up 15.1% relative to 2Q08, thus recovering from a performance negatively affected by heavy rains, interruptions of railway traffic caused by protesters and restrictions in our logistics system.

Carajás production for the first nine months of 2008 was 74.2 Mt, an increase of 10.6% over 9M07.

The Southeastern System, which encompasses the Itabira, Mariana and Minas Centrais iron ore mines, produced 33.2 Mt in 3Q08, 3.2 Mt more than the output of 3Q07. Production at Brucutu, which is part of the Minas Centrais complex, reached 7.8 Mt in 3Q08. Production at Mariana increased 22.8% year-over-year due to the ramp up of Fazendão, which produced 3.3 Mt in 3Q08.

The Southern System – MBR and Minas do Oeste — produced 23.0 Mt in 3Q08, 3.0% lower than the figures for 3Q07, mainly due to lower production at the Mar Azul mine. Total production in 9M08 was 64.9 Mt, a slight reduction of 2.8% if compared to 9M07.

Ú Pellets – an all-time high output

																						%change				%change				%change
000’ metric tons		3Q07				2Q08				3Q08				9M07				9M08				3Q08/2Q08				3Q08/3Q07				9M08/9M07
PELLETS1			10,900				11,158				12,238				31,691				33,751				9.7	%			12.3	%			6.5	%
Tubarão I and II			1,556				1,674				1,666				4,687				4,953				-0.5	%			7.1	%			5.7	%
Fabrica			1,048				1,030				1,091				3,031				3,200				6.0	%			4.1	%			5.6	%
São Luís			1,830				1,605				1,876				5,201				5,170				16.9	%			2.5	%			-0.6	%
Nibrasco			2,323				2,261				2,559				6,618				6,857				13.2	%			10.2	%			3.6	%
Kobrasco			1,228				1,256				1,281				3,689				3,810				2.0	%			4.3	%			3.3	%
Hispanobras			565				578				581				1,707				1,729				0.5	%			2.8	%			1.3	%
Itabrasco			492				453				531				1,532				1,498				17.0	%			7.8	%			-2.2	%
Samarco			1,860				2,301				2,654				5,226				6,534				15.3	%			42.7	%			25.0	%

Vale’s attributable production of pellets, in which quantities produced by our joint ventures – Hispanobras, Itabrasco and Samarco – are calculated in proportion to our stakes, reached 12.2 Mt in 3Q08, an all-time high, representing growth of 12.3 % over 3Q07.

We entered into a leasing contract for the Nibrasco and Kobrasco pelletizing operations in 2Q08. As a consequence, their production is being consolidated 100% on a pro forma basis. We also entered into a leasing contract for the Itabrasco operations as from 4Q08 onwards.

The part of Samarco’s production, attributable to our stake, was 2.7 Mt of pellets in 3Q08, compared to 1.8 Mt in 3Q07. Samarco’s third pellet plant, which began operations in April, was the main source of incremental production. The new plant contributed to the expansion of its nominal capacity to 21.6 Mtpy from 14.0 Mtpy of pellets.

Our pellet plants had an outstanding performance in 3Q08, increasing their production compared with 3Q07. In 3Q08, 8.1 Mt of blast furnace pellets were produced and 4.1 Mt of direct reduction pellets.

Total pellet volume produced in 9M08 amounted to 33.7 Mt, up 6.5% compared to 9M07.

Ú Manganese ore and ferroalloys – stoppage at Dunkerque

																						%change				%change				%change
000’ metric tons		3Q07				2Q08				3Q08				9M07				9M08				3Q08/2Q08				3Q08/3Q07				9M08/9M07
MANGANESE ORE			100				658				694				1,215				1,892				5.4	%			595.4	%			55.7	%
Azul			10				546				561				899				1,611				2.8	%			5716.2	%			79.2	%
Urucum			83				77				75				206				188				-3.4	%			-10.2	%			-8.3	%
Other mines			7				35				58				111				93				n.m.				729.6	%			-16.5	%
FERROALLOY			130				128				130				405				391				1.9	%			0.1	%			-3.6	%
Brazil			70				75				78				208				229				3.8	%			11.4	%			9.9	%
Dunkerque			19				15				16				88				55				8.8	%			-12.6	%			-37.2	%
Mo I Rana			35				32				30				92				91				-6.8	%			-14.7	%			-1.5	%
Urucum			6				5				5				17				16				8.4	%			-5.2	%			-5.9	%

Production of manganese ore amounted to 694,000 metric tons (t) in 3Q08, an increase of 5.4% in comparison with the 658,000 t of 2Q08. It was well above the 100,000 t produced in the same quarter last year, when the operations of Azul, our main manganese mine located at Carajás, were temporarily suspended.

In the first nine months of this year we produced 1.892 million metric tons, an increase of 55.7% over the same period last year.

In 3Q08, our ferroalloy production reached 130,000 t, an increase of 1.9% over 2Q08, attaining the same levels as 3Q07. Our Dunkerque operations, located in France, were interrupted in August due to problems with the electric furnace. We estimate that the furnace shutdown will mean a drop in ferroalloy production of 45,000 t as operations are expected to resume only in 1Q09.

Our ferroalloy production was comprised of 58,800 t of ferrosilicon manganese alloys (FeSiMn), 58,500 t of high-carbon manganese alloys (FeMnAc) and 13,100 t of medium-carbon manganese alloys (FeMnMC).

NON-FERROUS MINERALS

Ú Nickel – continuous improvement

																						%change				%change				%change
000’ metric tons		3Q07				2Q08				3Q08				9M07				9M08				3Q08/2Q08				3Q08/3Q07				9M08/9M07
NICKEL1			55.1				69.0				72.4				179.0				202.2				4.9	%			31.5	%			13.0	%
Sudbury			14.6				20.4				18.4				53.9				56.4				-9.8	%			26.0	%			4.8	%
Thompson			5.6				7.0				7.6				21.4				21.4				8.5	%			35.0	%			-0.3	%
Voisey’s Bay			12.3				18.2				21.9				38.4				58.3				19.9	%			78.6	%			51.8	%
Sorowako			17.7				19.4				19.1				55.2				53.7				-1.3	%			8.0	%			-2.6	%
Others*			4.8				4.0				5.4				10.0				12.3				34.4	%			10.8	%			22.7	%

Our finished nickel output amounted to 72,400 t in 3Q08, creating another historical record for Vale for a single quarter. It was up 4.9% over the previous record, reached in 2Q08, of 69,000 t, and 31.5% above 3Q07. Production for the first nine months of this year totaled 202,200 t, rising 13.0% compared to 9M07.

The rising nickel production is explained by a significant improvement in asset performance, which is due to our efforts to upgrade existing assets.

Sudbury, located in the Canadian province of Ontario, produced 18,400 t in 3Q08, down 2,000 t compared to 2Q08, but 3,800 t higher than the output for the same period last year. The reduction verified on a quarter-over-quarter basis, was due to mechanical issues at the Clydach refinery², in Wales, and seismic events in the mines. This was partially offset by higher production of third party feed, which is reflected in the 1,400 t increase in production from others.

Our Thompson operation in Manitoba, Canada, contributed 7,600 t to our total production, up 8.5% in relation to 2Q08, as full production has been resumed after issues with the smelter reverting delivery systems and the power distribution system to the mines in 2Q08.

Our operations in Voisey Bay, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, have been performing extremely well. 3Q08 was another record-breaking quarter, with an output of 21,900 t, reflecting an increase in mined ore grade.

Vale produces nickel matte in Sorowako, on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, where we run the largest lateritic nickel operation in the world. Finished nickel production amounted to 19,100 t in 3Q08, slightly below the 19,400 t reached last quarter. The start-up of our utility plant in Dalian, China, allowed us to normalize our production in 2Q08. Dalian has a nominal capacity to produce 35,000 mt of nickel and in the future will be dedicated to processing nickel oxide from Goro.

Ú Bauxite – Paragominas II ramping up

																						%change				%change				%change
000’ metric tons		3Q07				2Q08				3Q08				9M07				9M08				3Q08/2Q08				3Q08/3Q07				9M08/9M07
BAUXITE			2,586				2,426				3,198				6,445				8,087				31.8	%			23.7	%			25.5	%
Trombetas1			1,867				1,725				1,883				5,374				5,245				9.1	%			0.8	%			-2.4	%
Paragominas			719				701				1,316				1,071				2,842				87.6	%			82.9	%			165.2	%

In 3Q08 our bauxite production reached a new record of 3.2 Mt, an increase of 23.7% compared with 2.6 Mt in 3Q07. Vale`s attributable production at Trombetas set a new record, of 1.9 Mt

Operations at the Paragominas mine, in the Brazilian state of Pará, produced 1.3 Mt in 3Q08, as the second phase of Paragominas (Paragominas II) began ramping up in May adding 4.5 Mtpy to the nominal capacity of Paragominas.

Paragominas mine is linked to the alumina refinery by the first bauxite pipeline in the world.

Ú Alumina – ramping up of stages 6 & 7

																						%change				%change				%change
000’ metric tons		3Q07				2Q08				3Q08				9M07				9M08				3Q08/2Q08				3Q08/3Q07				9M08/9M07
ALUMINA			1,123				1,063				1,309				3,096				3,431				23.1	%			16.5	%			10.8	%
Alunorte			1,123				1,063				1,309				3,096				3,431				23.1	%			16.5	%			10.8	%

The ramp up of Paragominas II enabled Vale to produce 1.3 Mt in 3Q08, up 16.5% against 3Q07, setting a new output record.

Stages 6 and 7 of the Barcarena refinery started ramping up in June and July 2008, respectively, augmenting its nominal capacity to 6.26 million metric tons per year.

Ú Aluminum – a quarterly record

																						%change				%change				%change
000’ metric tons		3Q07				2Q08				3Q08				9M07				9M08				3Q08/2Q08				3Q08/3Q07				9M08/9M07
ALUMINUM			138				136				140				412				407				2.9	%			1.2	%			-1.1	%
Albras			115				113				115				341				340				1.5	%			0.4	%			-0.2	%
Valesul			23				22				25				71				67				10.2	%			4.8	%			-5.4	%

In 3Q08, production of primary aluminum was 140,000 t, an increase of 1.2% relative to 3Q07, due to the improved performance of our two smelters. Production at Albras, in Barcarena, state of Pará, was 115,000 t, and at Valesul, in Rio de Janeiro, 25,000 t.

In 9M08 production totaled 407,000 t, against 412,000 t in the same period a year earlier, due to the reduction in Valesul’s output program to minimize the exposure to the high volatility of energy spot prices. Albras energy consumption is fully supplied under a 20-year contract, which expires only in 2024.

Ú Copper – production increases by 23.2%

																						%change				%change				%change
000’ metric tons		3Q07				2Q08				3Q08				9M07				9M08				3Q08/2Q08				3Q08/3Q07				9M08/9M07
COPPER			65.1				76.5				80.2				210.4				230.0				4.9	%			23.2	%			9.3	%
Sossego			26.9				30.3				32.8				86.0				93.3				8.5	%			22.1	%			8.5	%
Sudbury			23.9				29.0				30.8				84.0				87.3				6.3	%			28.6	%			4.0	%
Thompson			0.3				0.5				0.3				1.0				1.1				-43.1	%			11.6	%			14.2	%
Voisey’s Bay			11.5				12.7				13.2				31.8				39.3				3.8	%			15.3	%			23.6	%
Others			2.2				4.0				3.0				7.5				8.9				-23.5	%			37.7	%			19.7	%

Vale’s copper production totaled 80,200 t in 3Q08, up 23.2% compared to the same period a year earlier.

The Canadian operations were responsible for approximately 55% of Vale’s total production this quarter, adding 44,300 t to our total production. This meant an increase of 8,600 t over 3Q07, driven by higher copper grades of mined ores.

Copper production in Sossego, at Carajás, was 32,800 t in 3Q08, increasing 22.1% against 26,900 t in 3Q07 when there was a maintenance stoppage at the processing plant.

Vale produces copper concentrates at Sossego, Brazil, and copper concentrates, anodes and cathodes at its operations in Canada, where copper is extracted as a by-product of nickel. The figures shown in this report refer to the volumes of copper contained in these products.

Ú Nickel by-products – higher cobalt grade

																						%change				%change				%change
		3Q07				2Q08				3Q08				9M07				9M08				3Q08/2Q08				3Q08/3Q07				9M08/9M07
COBALT (metric tons)			668				671				750				1,844				2,036				11.8	%			12.3	%			10.4	%
Sudbury			163				158				210				601				511				32.5	%			28.6	%			-14.9	%
Thompson			24				50				44				133				146				-11.8	%			83.8	%			9.9	%
Voisey’s Bay			257				400				447				808				1,226				11.6	%			73.9	%			51.7	%
Others			225				63				50				303				153				-20.4	%			-77.7	%			-49.3	%
PLATINUM (000’oz troy)			43				43				44				111				123				2.1	%			2.6	%			11.2	%
Sudbury			43				43				44				111				123				2.1	%			2.6	%			11.2	%
PALLADIUM (000’oz troy)			52				54				66				152				169				22.6	%			27.7	%			11.2	%
Sudbury			52				54				66				152				169				22.6	%			27.7	%			11.2	%
GOLD (000’ oz troy)			22				19				24				61				65				28.2	%			9.8	%			6.5	%
Sudbury			22				19				24				61				65				28.2	%			9.8	%			6.5	%
SILVER (000’ oz troy)			605				578				650				1,676				1,734				12.4	%			7.4	%			3.4	%
Sudbury			605				578				650				1,676				1,734				12.4	%			7.4	%			3.4	%

The production for all nickel by-products increased in 3Q08 relative to both 2Q08 and 3Q07.

In this quarter, cobalt production was 750 metric tons, a 12.3% increase against 3Q07, mainly due to higher cobalt grade in the ore mined at Voisey’s Bay as well as higher production achieved at Sudbury and Manitoba.

Ú Potash – operational challenges

																						%change				%change				%change
000’ metric tons		3Q07				2Q08				3Q08				9M07				9M08				3Q08/2Q08				3Q08/3Q07				9M08/9M07
POTASH			180				167				172				499				505				2.7	%			-4.7	%			1.2	%
Taquari-Vassouras			180				167				172				499				505				2.7	%			-4.7	%			1.2	%

Production at Taquari-Vassouras in 3Q08 was 172,000 t, 4.7% below the level recorded for the same period last year, as a consequence of problems with mining equipment.

In the first nine months of the year volume produced was 505,000 t, up 1.2% on production in 9M07, as we have been mining higher-grade ores since 1Q08.

Ú Kaolin – adjusting to market conditions

																						%change				%change				%change
000’ metric tons		3Q07				2Q08				3Q08				9M07				9M08				3Q08/2Q08				3Q08/3Q07				9M08/9M07
KAOLIN			356				288				314				975				898				9.1	%			-11.8	%			-7.9	%
PPSA			178				153				136				454				429				-11.0	%			-23.7	%			-5.6	%
Cadam			177				135				178				521				470				31.8	%			0.1	%			-9.8	%

In 3Q08, kaolin production reached 314,000 t, decreasing 11.8% in relation to 3Q07 production of 356,000 t.

PPSA produced 136,000 t, down 23.7% over 3Q07 and 11.0% against 2Q08, in a move to adjust to weaker demand. On the other hand, CADAM production was 178,000 t, in line with the same period a year earlier.

In the first nine months of the year, Vale’s total kaolin production was 898,000 t, down 7.9% compared to 9M07.

COAL

Ú Coal – record thermal coal production

																						%change				%change				%change
000’ metric tons		3Q07				2Q08				3Q08				9M07				9M08				3Q08/2Q08				3Q08/3Q07				9M08/9M07
METALLURGICAL COAL			653				768				686				1,006				2,104				-10.6	%			5.1	%			n.m.
Integra Coal			416				409				448				666				1,307				9.5	%			7.8	%			n.m.
Carborough Downs			118				134				76				168				304				-43.4	%			-35.6	%			n.m.
Broadlea			0				93				60				26				204				-35.6	%			n.m.				n.m.
Other			120				132				103				146				290				-22.0	%			-14.3	%			n.m.
THERMAL COAL			140				314				362				220				899				15.2	%			158.8	%			n.m.
Integra Coal			93				104				116				137				373				11.3	%			25.3	%			n.m.
Broadlea			0				168				209				12				432				24.1	%			n.m.				n.m.
Other			47				41				37				70				94				-11.1	%			-22.0	%			n.m.

Our coal production in 3Q08 reached 1.048 Mt, of which 686,000 t was metallurgical coal and 362,000 t thermal coal.

Most of our coal production – 53.8% of the Vale’s total – comes from Integra Coal in the Hunter Valley, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, where production was impacted by a routine underground longwall move.

Production of coal at Carborough Downs totaled 76,000 t in 3Q08, a decrease compared with 2Q08, when production was 134,000 t. The performance of Carborough Downs was negatively impacted by a delay in the delivery of new mining equipment and construction work required for its expansion. This project will increase its nominal capacity to 4.8 Mtpy by 2011, from a current capacity of 1.0 Mtpy.

Coal produced by the Broadlea and Carborough Downs mines is transported along the Goonyella logistics corridor, which links the mines of the Central Queensland Bowen Basin to the Dalrymple Bay coal terminal. Broadlea, which shares the same coal handling preparation plant (CHPP) with Carborough Downs, had a very good performance during 3Q08 achieving a total production of 269,000 t. In July, a second fleet of equipment was shipped to the mine to compensate for the expected lower Carborough Downs production.

 

For further information, please contact:
+55-21-3814-4540
Roberto Castello Branco: roberto.castello.branco@vale.com
Alessandra Gadelha: alessandra.gadelha@vale.com
Marcus Thieme: marcus.thieme@vale.com
Patrícia Calazans: patrícia.calazans@vale.com
Theo Penedo: theo.penedo@vale.com
Tacio Neto: tacio.neto@vale.com

This press release may include declarations that present Vale’s expectations in relation to future events or results. All declarations, when based upon future expectations and not on historical facts involve various risks and uncertainties. Vale cannot guarantee that such declarations will come to be correct. These risks and uncertainties include factors related to the following: (a) countries where we operate, mainly Brazil and Canada; (b) global economy; (c) capital markets; (d) iron ore and nickel businesses and their dependence upon the global steel industry, which is cyclical by nature; (e) factors of high degree of global competition in the markets which Vale operates. To obtain further information on factors that may give origin to results different from those forecasted by Vale, please consult the reports filed with the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM), the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the most recent Annual Report — Vale Form 20F and 6K forms.

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.