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Iron Ore

Iron ore is a mineral commodity from which metallic iron can be economically extracted, serving as the primary raw material for steel production. The ore consists of iron oxides, most commonly hematite and magnetite, which are mined from surface and underground deposits worldwide. Major iron ore producers include Australia, Brazil, China, India and South Africa, with the Pilbara region of Western Australia and Brazil's Carajás mine ranking among the world's largest sources. The commodity is typically traded in the form of fines, lump ore or pellets, with iron content ranging from about 60% to 67% for high-grade material. Global seaborne iron ore trade is dominated by shipments to China, which accounts for more than two-thirds of world imports to feed its vast steel industry. Benchmark pricing is set through quarterly or monthly negotiations between major miners such as BHP, Rio Tinto and Vale and steelmakers, with spot prices also playing an increasing role. Iron ore is graded by iron content, with higher-grade ores commanding premium prices owing to lower impurities and reduced processing costs for steelmakers. The industry is capital intensive, requiring substantial investment in mining infrastructure, rail networks and port facilities to move ore from mine to market. Demand for iron ore is closely tied to construction activity, infrastructure development and manufacturing output, making it sensitive to economic cycles and particularly to growth trends in China. Environmental considerations, including mine rehabilitation, water management and carbon emissions from steel production, are increasingly shaping the iron ore sector's operational and investment decisions.
Weba Chute Systems & Solutions

Press Office - Weba Chute Systems & Solutions

Iron Ore News


Australia's Northern Territory
Canadian explorer Inflection Resources secures Australian gov grants for exploration
12th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Canadian miner Inflection Resources' wholly-owned Australian subsidiary has been awarded three exploration grants worth A$300 000 by the Northern Territory government's Geophysics and Drilling... 


Vale chairperson Daniel Stieler
Vale's top shareholder pushes for meeting on chair's removal
12th June 2026 By: Reuters

Brazil's Vale, one of the world's largest iron-ore producers, said on Thursday it received a request from its top shareholder, pension fund Previ, for a shareholders' meeting to vote on the removal... 


Port Hedland
BHP electrical workers vote ‘yes’ to strike at key Australian iron-ore export hub
11th June 2026 By: Reuters

Hundreds of iron-ore miner BHP’s electrical workers at Port Hedland, in Western Australia, have voted in favour of taking strike action, a union said on Thursday. The Electrical Trades Union said... 


Iron-ore in rail wagons
Iron-ore remains unaffected by Iran war, but China's May data baffles
11th June 2026 By: Reuters

Iron-ore is the one major commodity that is sailing unaffected through the storm created by the US/Israeli war on Iran, but the relative calm masks shifting dynamics for the key steel raw... 


Vale signage
Vale's AI-powered plant in Minas Gerais boosts productivity by 25%
11th June 2026 By: Reuters

Brazilian miner Vale inaugurated its first high-tech processing plant using AI after modernizing a facility in Minas Gerais State, the company said on Wednesday, achieving a 25% productivity gain... 


Iron-ore heaps in Australia
Top iron-ore miners seek Canberra's help in price fight with China
5th June 2026 By: Reuters

Major miners and their lobbyists have asked Canberra for help in pushing back against China's efforts to extract better terms for their iron-ore, including raising the prospect of a single selling... 


TPT testing the new tippler at Saldanha Iron Ore Terminal
Transnet installs new tippler at Saldanha Iron Ore Terminal to boost capacity
4th June 2026 By: Schalk Burger

State-owned Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has completed its R4-billion infrastructure expansion project for the Saldanha Iron Ore Terminal, with the installation of a new tippler, which is used to... 


Iron-ore
Iron-ore posts biggest daily loss in nearly two months on China demand worries
4th June 2026 By: Reuters

Iron-ore prices slid on Thursday to record their biggest daily losses in nearly two months, weighed down by rising concerns about demand in top consumer China as steel margins shrink and steel... 


Recycled cooking oil
BHP explores ship biofuel blend made from cooking oil, animal fat
3rd June 2026 By: Reuters

Australian iron-ore and copper miner BHP and Singapore's Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) have blended biofuel made from used cooking oil and waste animal fat to refuel a cargo... 


The Simandou iron-ore operation in Guinea
Guinea’s Simandou iron exports surge six months after first ore
3rd June 2026 By: Bloomberg

Exports from Guinea’s Simandou iron-ore project surged in May, six months after the first shipment to China, marking a milestone in the ramp-up of the high-grade mine that has the potential to... 


Fortsecue iron-ore in rail wagons
China’s State buyer seeks scrutiny of new Fortescue iron-ore
2nd June 2026 By: Bloomberg

China’s State-backed iron-ore buyer has instructed some steel mills to ask questions about Fortescue's new low-grade product as negotiations over a long-term supply contract hit a rough patch.... 


Port Hedland
BHP electrical workers to vote on strike at key Australian iron-ore export hub
29th May 2026 By: Reuters

PERTH - Hundreds of iron-ore miner BHP's electrical workers at Port Hedland in Western Australia will vote on potential strike action, a union said on Friday, raising the risk of disruptions to... 


Iron-ore pile
Iron-ore heads for monthly loss as coal spike pressures margins
29th May 2026 By: Bloomberg

Iron-ore headed for a monthly loss as a short-lived rally triggered by a fatal steelmaking-coal mine accident in China’s Shanxi province faded, leaving investors focused on mill margins and... 


Supplier ready to engage, showcase at WAMPEX
29th May 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

As a global supplier of engineering solutions for minerals and mining applications, Weir is preparing to showcase its range of solutions for the mining sector at the West African Mining and Power... 


Two Gentlemen in suits shaking hands at the 2025 WAMPEX
WAMPEX growth leads to new venue, more visitors
29th May 2026 By: Halima Frost

This year’s West African Mining & Power Expo (WAMPEX), which is endorsed by the Ghanaian Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, will convene over 6 000 mining professionals while celebrating its... 


Iron-ore pellets
Strategic Resources nears full authorisation for four-million tonne iron-ore pellet plant in Québec
27th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed vanadium, high-purity iron and titanium producer Strategic Resources has submitted all responses to questions received from Québec's environment Ministry in connection with the... 


BHP's Jimblebar operation
BHP reportedly cuts green push in iron-ore segment, media report says
26th May 2026 By: Bloomberg

BHP Group is allegedly pulling back on key decarbonization projects in its Western Australian iron-ore operations, slowing a climate strategy the miner had once positioned as central to its... 


Fortescue iron-ore mine
China's weak steel output, strong iron-ore imports show structural shift
26th May 2026 By: Reuters

The contrast between China's weak steel production but robust iron-ore imports is continuing and is starting to look like a structural shift rather than a temporary dislocation. China, which... 


Fortsecue's 190 MW solar farm at Cloudbreak
Fortescue starts latest 690 MW solar farm build at Turner River
25th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Australian iron-ore miner Fortescue has started construction on its 690 MW Turner River solar farm, in the Pilbara, which marks the final solar installation required to deliver the company’s Real... 


Drill core from Sarfartoq
Greenland Mines fast-tracks updated study on newly acquired Sarfartoq rare earths project
22nd May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Nasdaq-listed Greenland Mines has signed a definitive agreement with TSX-listed Neo Performance Materials to acquire full ownership of the Sarfartoq rare earths project in south-west Greenland for... 


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