[SMM survey] Increased routine maintenance at mines and beneficiation plants, significant decline in iron ore concentrates production

Published: Jul 14, 2025 14:00

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According to the latest data from SMM, the capacity utilization rate of domestic mines reached 60.1% last week, up 0.1 percentage point MoM. The production of iron ore concentrates reached 802,000 mt, an increase of 1,000 mt from the previous week. Meanwhile, the inventory of mine concentrates decreased by 5,000 mt, with the total inventory currently at 290,000 mt.

According to the latest data from SMM, the capacity utilization rate of domestic mines reached 55.9% last week, down 4.2 percentage points MoM. The production of iron ore concentrates was 746,000 mt, a decrease of 56,000 mt from the previous week. Meanwhile, the inventory of iron ore concentrates at mines decreased by 50,000 mt, with the total inventory currently at 240,000 mt.

The decline in domestic iron ore concentrate production last week was relatively significant, mainly due to routine maintenance at some large mines in Anhui and Shandong in east China, resulting in an overall decline in iron ore concentrate production. Looking at this week, the impact of maintenance has weakened, and beneficiation plants that halted production will gradually resume normal operations mid-week. In Liaoning, mines and beneficiation plants are gradually resuming normal production, but the overall local iron ore concentrate prices are relatively low, and some mines and beneficiation plants still have weak production willingness. However, overall, it is expected that there will be an increase in iron ore concentrate production in the later period.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

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