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(Yicai Global) March 23 -- Vale, the world's largest iron ore producer, has purchased 5 million rapid test kits for Covid-19 from China to help reduce the spread of the virus across its home country Brazil.
The tests can provide results in just 15 minutes and make up half of the amount the Brazilian Ministry of Health needs at present, the Rio de Janeiro-based firm, which has a history of over 40 years in China, said in a statement today. It expects to receive the first 1 million kits in China on March 27 and will send them to Brazil next week, with the rest being delivered by mid-April.
Vale will also be buying personal protective equipment, such as goggles, gloves and masks for doctors and nurses, it added, then send this on to the federal government in Brazil.
Editor: James Boynton