[Domestic Iron Ore Brief Review] Environmental Protection Pressure Persists, Iron Ore Concentrate Prices in the Tangshan Region May Continue to Fluctuate

Iron ore concentrate prices in the Tangshan area remained relatively stable, with the delivery-to-factory price, tax included, for 66% grade iron ore concentrates (dry basis) at 985-990 yuan/mt. Today, the Handan–Xingtai area issued another secondary-level environmental protection alert, and environmental pressure also increased in the Tangshan area. Some mines and beneficiation plants indicated that transportation was somewhat affected, but production remained normal. Steel mills still showed no significant restocking operations, purchasing as needed, with an overall strong desire to bargain down prices. The market structure continued to reflect a weak supply-demand situation. Finally, considering the relatively volatile trend in iron ore futures recently, local iron ore concentrate prices are expected to remain relatively stable next week. [SMM Steel]