Norsk Hydro buys Vale's aluminium business

Norsk said the deal would secure supplies of alumina

Norwegian aluminium producer Norsk Hydro has agreed to buy a majority stake in the aluminium operations of Brazilian miner Vale.

The deal is valued at $4.9bn with Vale receiving $1.1bn in cash and a 22% stake in Norsk Hydro.

The Norwegian firm said the deal would improve competitiveness by securing access to bauxite and alumina.

About 3,600 Vale employees will be transferred to Norsk, which already employs 19,000 people in 40 countries.

Vale is the world's third largest coal mining company.

As part of the deal, Norsk Hydro will buy Vale's 60% stake in the world's third-biggest bauxite mine, Paragominas, Brazil.