Feb. 1 -- Brazilian mining company Vale S.A. (VALE, VALE5.BR) said late Tuesday its underground nickel mines in the Sudbury Basin in Canada have temporarily stopped operation following a fatal accident on Sunday.

Mine production has been stopped to allow a general review of safety conditions in the mines, in order to minimize accident risks, Vale said in a statement.

The stoppage has no impact on finished nickel production as the Clarabelle mill and the Copper Cliff smelter and the Copper Cliff nickel refinery continue to operate normally with sufficient feed stock for the near term, the company said.