[Las exportaciones brasileñas de mineral de hierro caen casi un 8% intermensual en septiembre de 2026, hasta 31,66 Mt]

Fortescue reported iron ore shipments of 46.8 Mt for the first quarter of FY27 (quarter ended 30 September 2026), including 2.5 Mt from Iron Bridge, down 6% year on year. Iron ore sales were 42.9 Mt, below shipments, reflecting ongoing negotiations with China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG); product inventory rose during the quarter and further inventory build is expected in October. On costs and prices, hematite C1 unit cost was US$21.98/wmt, up from US$18.17/wmt a year earlier. Hematite realised price was US$79.79/dmt and Iron Bridge Concentrate revenue was US$111.09/dmt. As of 30 September 2026, the company held US$3.2 billion in cash and US$2.8 billion in net debt after the FY26 dividend and capital expenditure. Operationally, the company said it carried out its biggest-ever shutdown across port operations during the quarter, replacing the tippler cell in Train Unloader 1 and major components on its reclaimer and shiploader. It also reported a first Ore Reserve at Blacksmith of 196 Mt at an average grade of 58% iron; Dino Otranto, CEO of Fortescue Metals and Operations, said Blacksmith will play an important role in maintaining production as existing mines mature. In addition, the Green Metal Project at Christmas Creek produced first hot metal and turbine components for the Nullagine Wind Project arrived. On safety, the company reported a Leading Safety Index (LSI) of 142 and a Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) of 1.4. FY27 guidance for shipments, C1 unit cost and capital expenditure remains unchanged but is subject to the outcome of the CMRG negotiations; operations could be affected if a resolution is not reached by the end of the calendar year. [SMM Iron Ore]

Fortescue (ASX: FMG) reported September-quarter iron ore shipments of 46.8 Mt, down 6% YoY, including 2.5 Mt from its Iron Bridge magnetite project. The company attributed part of the shortfall to its largest-ever scheduled port maintenance shutdown, which involved replacing tippler cells at Train Unloader 1 and major upgrades to reclaimers and shiploaders at its Pilbara port infrastructure. Sales recognised in the quarter totalled 42.9 Mt, below shipments, as the company declined to finalise transactions with China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG) on terms it considers unacceptable. Fortescue maintained its FY27 shipment guidance of 197-207 Mt, but said the guidance remains contingent on resolution of the CMRG pricing negotiations before the end of the calendar year. It warned that unsold stock is expected to grow by a further 4-5 Mt in October alone and that it may be forced to adjust production levels if no deal is reached by year-end. Hematite C1 cash costs rose 21% YoY to US$21.98/wmt, above the company's FY27 guidance range of US$20.50-21.75/wmt, driven by higher diesel prices (about US$1.40/t), broader supply chain inflation and lower throughput during the port shutdown. Average realised hematite prices fell 10% YoY to US$79.79/dmt, equal to 82% of the 62% benchmark index. Net debt rose to US$2.8 billion from US$0.9 billion at 30 June, while cash reserves fell to US$3.2 billion. Fortescue also reported a maiden ore reserve of 196 Mt at 58.0% Fe for its Blacksmith project. [SMM Iron Ore]

Linde has doubled its on-site industrial gas supply capacity for Tata Steel at the Kalinganagar Industrial Complex in Odisha, India, supporting the steelmaker's production expansion there. The move is under a long-term supply agreement and is expected to support Tata Steel's plan to raise annual steel production capacity at the facility from 3 million tonnes to 8 million tonnes. The expansion follows the de-captivation of two air separation units (ASUs), which Linde has acquired and brought into operation at Kalinganagar. The units are now supplying oxygen, nitrogen and argon to Tata Steel's ironmaking and steelmaking operations. With the two additional ASUs, Linde's total oxygen production capacity in the Kalinganagar region has risen to more than 7,000 tonnes per day, which will serve Tata Steel's growing requirements as well as strengthen Linde's ability to meet rising demand across the regional merchant market. Moloy Banerjee, President ASEAN & South Asia at Linde, said the project underscored the strength of the company's long-standing relationship with Tata Steel and highlighted the critical role of industrial gases in steelmaking. He added that the project would further deepen Linde's network density in an important industrial region and position the company to capture additional growth opportunities in India. [SMM Iron Ore]