[ US Raw Steel Production Rises 3.4% to 1.845 Million Net Tons ]

Indian Railways has approved doubling of the 6 km Barbil–Bolanikhadan section under Southeastern Railway of Odisha at a cost of INR 122 Cr. The single line stretch now carries about 9 million tonnes of freight a year, entirely high-grade iron ore and pellets moving from SAIL's Bolani mines and private sidings to steel plants and ports. Once doubled, it can handle an extra 8.9 million tonnes annually and reduce freight train delays. Part of the "Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridor," the project aims to prevent congestion ahead of SAIL's mine expansion and new port and plant capacity.

Brazilian iron ore miner CSN Mineração (subsidiary of Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional - CSN) disclosed in a regulatory filing that it has revised its 2026 iron ore production and third-party purchase volume guidance downward from 45.0–47.0 million metric tons (Mt) to 39.0–41.0 Mt. Concurrently, the company raised its 2026 C1 cash cost guidance from $22.0–$23.5/mt to $25.0–$26.0/mt. The revision stems from a temporary suspension of lower-grade iron ore processing at its Pires Complex dry processing plant and a reduction in third-party ore purchases, driven by margin pressure from elevated Brazil-China freight rates and challenging market conditions. CSN noted that the measure can be reversed if market conditions support stronger margins. [SMM Iron Ore]