Exhibit 15.11


                                                                          [LOGO]
                                                                        ANDERSEN


                                                             Arthur Andersen S/C
                                          Praia de Botatogo 300 7 (degree) andar
                                                     22250 040 Rio de Janeiro RJ
                                                                www.andersen.com



Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20549


Commissioners:


We are aware that our report dated October 22, 2001 on our review of interim
financial information of Mineracao Rio do Norte S.A., as of September 30, 2001
and 2000, and for the nine-month periods then ended, prepared in conformity with
generally accepted principles in the United States, is included in the
Registration Statement on Form F-4 filed by Vale Overseas Limited and Companhia
Vale do Rio Doce.


Yours very truly,

/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN S/C


ARTHUR ANDERSEN S/C



Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 21, 2002