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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


Iron-ore mining landscape
Big iron-ore miners deplete reserves faster than they replace
18th September 2026 By: Bloomberg

The world’s biggest iron-ore producers are depleting ore reserves faster than they can replenish them, as the cost and complexity of developing replacements continues to rise, according to Wood... 


Image of iron-ore stockpile
Zanaga iron-ore project, Congo-Brazzaville – update
18th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Zanaga Iron Ore Company reported on September 15, 2026, that the bulk-sampling programme was under way and remained on schedule.  


Fortescue iron-ore mine
Iron-ore firms on China pre-holiday restocking, demand uncertainty caps gains
17th September 2026 By: Reuters

Iron-ore prices rose for a second session on Thursday, as Chinese steelmakers stepped up seaborne purchases ahead of a national holiday, although shrinking steel mill margins clouded the demand... 


Radiant World signage
Radiant World sues Glencore for $2bn, Bloomberg News reports
16th September 2026 By: Reuters

Radiant World and Hong Kong-based commodity trader Sapphire Minmetals have filed a lawsuit against London-listed miner Glencore in Singapore claiming $2-billion in damages, Bloomberg News reported... 


Samples being excavated at Zanaga Project
Zanaga undergoes bulk sampling programme
15th September 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Zanaga Iron Ore Company (ZIOC) has provided an update on the bulk sampling programme at its Zanaga project in Congo-Brazzaville. As part of the programme, about 30 000 t of ore is being... 


Port Hedland
Combined BHP Ports Unions to seek arbitration over wage deal dispute
15th September 2026 By: Reuters

Combined BHP Ports Unions will take top global miner BHP to arbitration after the two parties failed to agree on terms for a new wage deal for its Port Hedland iron-ore operations in Western... 


Bauxite being loaded onto a ship in Guinea
Guinea discussing alumina, energy investments with Glencore after bauxite deal, minister says
14th September 2026 By: Reuters

Guinea is discussing investment opportunities with Glencore in alumina refining and energy projects beyond last week's bauxite marketing deal, its mines minister said, as it seeks to diversify its... 


Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips speaking at the group's results presentation in Sandton
Transnet outlines ‘transact for value’ model for private sector participation transactions
10th September 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips says the sale of a 49.99% interest in its largest container terminal last year to International Container Terminal Services had set the tone for the way in which the... 


Pig iron
UK engineering firm Primetals confirms three viable pig iron production routes for US-based MagIron
9th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

UK-headquartered Primetals Technologies has completed a concept and economic study for US-based MagIron that evaluates the development of large-scale granulated pig iron production to be integrated... 


Port Hedland
BHP, union talks for Port Hedland iron-ore workers to stretch on into next week
8th September 2026 By: Reuters

Talks between BHP and unions representing workers at the mining giant's Port Hedland iron-ore operations in Western Australia ended without a deal, with further negotiations scheduled for next... 


Iron-ore heap
China August iron-ore imports beat expectations as typhoons delay July customs clearance
8th September 2026 By: Reuters

China's iron-ore imports in August rose 0.4% from a month earlier, defying analysts' expectations for a decline, as multiple typhoons battered unloading at ports and delayed customs clearance in... 


Iron-ore
Jefferies-linked fund seeks Singapore injunction against Radiant World
7th September 2026 By: Reuters

LAM Trade Finance Group II, in which US bank Jefferies has a minority stake, applied on Monday for a freezing injunction against Radiant World and its founder in Singapore, the city-state's... 


Iron-ore pellets
Ferrexpo shares soar as trading resumes, some production restarts
7th September 2026 By: Reuters

Shares in Ukraine-focused iron-ore pellet producer Ferrexpo shares surged as much as 60% when they resumed trading on Monday after several months of suspension. The company last week said it had... 


Drilling in Australia
BMI lists screening of foreign investment, high labour costs, wildfires as Australian mining's main risks
7th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Mining and metals research firm BMI find that Australia's industry risk profile is largely being shaped by climate exposure and labour scarcity, though these effects vary by sector. Climate-related... 


ARM founder and chairperson Patrice Motsepe.
ARM’s Motsepe emphasises importance of honesty, integrity, governance, meritocracy
4th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The founder and chairperson of diversified mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) on Friday, September emphasised the importance of companies behaving in a manner that reflects integrity,... 


Jimblebar iron-ore mining operation
Top China steelmaker Baowu eyes stake in BHP iron-ore mine, sources say
4th September 2026 By: Reuters

China Baowu Steel Group, the world's largest steelmaker, is eyeing a minority stake in BHP's Jimblebar iron-ore mine in Western Australia, according to two people briefed on the matter. Baowu is... 


ARM CEO Phillip Tobias.
ARM headline earnings up 19%, dividend declared
4th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The headline earnings of diversified mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) increased by 19% to R3 201-million in the financial year ended June 30 on mainly higher dollar platinum group... 


Iron-ore pellets
Ukraine-focused miner Ferrexpo to raise $100m in funding
4th September 2026 By: Reuters

Ukraine-focused miner Ferrexpo on Thursday proposed an equity fundraise for about $100-million to support the company's working capital and ongoing operations, after reporting results for the year... 


First hot metal at Fortescue's Green Metal project
Fortescue progresses towards green iron
4th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Iron-ore major Fortescue has produced first hot metal at its Green Metal project at Christmas Creek, marking the first successful operation of its electric smelting process and a major step towards... 


Outgoing BHP chief commercial officer Rag Udd
BHP's chief commercial officer to step down in January, internal memo shows
2nd September 2026 By: Reuters

BHP's Chief Commercial Officer Rag Udd will step down at the end of January to pursue an opportunity outside the company, according to a staff memo seen by Reuters on Tuesday, leaving open one of... 


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