[China Iron Ore Brief Review] Iron Ore Concentrate Prices in the Tangshan Area May Continue to Fluctuate

[SMM China Domestic Ore Daily Brief Review]
The Tangshan domestic ore market was generally stable, with some prices showing strength driven by steel producers’ price increases. Currently, the delivery-to-factory price, tax included, for 66-grade iron ore concentrates on a dry basis is 970-980 yuan/mt. As environmental protection-related controls have been lifted, mine and beneficiation plant operating rates have improved. However, some beneficiation plants have shown limited willingness to produce due to tight raw material supply, high costs, and insufficient operating margins. Most producers are temporarily withholding shipments as prices remain below their psychological expectations, while buyers’ inquiry activity is only average, making high-priced cargoes difficult to purchase. Against a supply and demand stalemate, transactions have been relatively sluggish. Steel mills are mainly purchasing as needed, and considering the recent strength in iron ore futures, local iron ore concentrates prices are expected to hold up well in the short term. [SMM Steel]