Rio de Janeiro

VALE SA is forecast by analysts to cut its annual dividend by almost half, jeopardising its status as the most generous major mining company as iron ore prices plummet.

The Rio de Janeiro-based company will pay US$2.2 billion in dividends this year, down 47 per cent from last year and the lowest level since 2007, according to the average estimate of 12 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. The miner is scheduled to announce its minimum dividend payment target later this month.