MMi Daily Iron Ore Report (August 18)

【SMM Steel】Kazakhstan and China agreed to build a $1.2bn steel mill in Kazakhstan with China's Fujian Hengwang Investment. The mill will have up to 3 Mt/y capacity, create ~2,500 jobs, and serve domestic/export markets. It will use Kazakh gas and iron ore to produce wire, rebar, pipe steel, angles, and sections. The first phase of 1 Mt/y is planned for completion in 2027.

【SMM Steel】Group Five Pipe Saudi secured a SAR176m contract from Esnad Al Turuq for a Riyadh water infrastructure project. The deal covers carbon steel HSAW pipes for water transmission systems. The project will be executed at Ras Al Khair. Completion is scheduled by end of May. The financial impact is expected in Q2 and Q3 of FY2026. The award strengthens its position in the regional water infrastructure sector.

【SMM Steel】Algeria is intensifying export diversification efforts, focusing on steel and logistics. On Apr 7, Béjaïa port exported >8,000 t of rebar, while Djen Djen port signed a partnership with Algerian-Qatari Steel to streamline procedures. Non-hydrocarbon exports hit $5bn in 2023. Exports rose 26% to >$4.3bn in Jan-Sep 2025. In Jan 2026, exports to the US rose 50.3% YoY to $238m. The Djen Djen agreement aims to cut cargo processing times and boost efficiency. Authorities aim to enhance infrastructure and production capacity.