Vale says crown-jewel deal unlikely this year

Vale SA, the top iron-ore miner, is poised to complete coal and fertilizer sales this year, while a deal involving its most prized assets probably will take longer, according to its investor relations chief. The Rio de Janeiro-based company, which is grappling to reduce one of the industry’s biggest debt loads, is looking to wrap up a protracted negotiation to sell coal assets in Mozambique. It’s also nearing an accord to sell its fertilizer business, Andre Figueiredo said Thursday at an event in Sao Paulo.