On the supply side, deliveries were limited in some areas with strict prevention control measures, but production were not affected, while coking enterprises operated normally with smooth shipments. Inventories of coke enterprises run at low levels.

According to General Administration of Customs China imported 8.73 million mt of bauxite in December, up 13.32% month-on-month and 16.4% year-on-year.

In 2021, the coal industry closely followed the new national energy security strategy, with focus on promoting the safe, efficient and intelligent mining as well as clean and efficient use of coal, with the purpose of promoting industrial transformation and upgrading.

Vale expects to lift iron ore output in 2022, albeit at a slower rate than some analysts are estimating, which may add further volatility to iron ore prices after a roller-coaster year. 

As of November 21, Shanxi has supplied 21.87 million mt of thermal coal to 14 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China.

China Coal Group once again reduced the prices of thermal coal at ports and pits.

Vale generated cash flow of $7.765 billion in the third quarter, an increase of $1.238 billion from the second quarter, according to the third-quarter financial performance report issued on October 28.

As of this Friday, the SMM weighted average alumina price index stood at 3884 yuan/mt, an increase of 64 yuan/mt from before the holiday; Shanxi reported 3850-3950 yuan/mt, an increase of 100 yuan/mt from pre-holiday; Shandong reported 3850-3900 yuan/mt, an increase of 75 yuan/mt compared to before the holiday; Henan reported 3850-3950 yuan/mt, an increase of 50 yuan/mt compared with pre-holiday; Guangxi reported 3700-3700 yuan/mt, Guizhou reported 3800-3900 yuan/mt, both flat from before the holiday; Bayuquan reported 3900-4050 yuan/mt, an increase of 75 yuan/mt from before the holiday.

Vale's chief financial officer, Luciano siani Pires, said a few months ago that its Goro nickel-cobalt mine in New Caledonia could begin to suspend in 2021 as the company failed to reach a sale agreement with New Century Resources Limited (NCZ) on VNC (Novele Caledonie SAS).  

2020 will be the "year of completions" as developers are pushed to finish developments and price weakness starts to appear.