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Steel

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, typically containing less than 2% carbon along with other elements such as manganese, chromium, nickel and molybdenum, and is one of the world's most important industrial materials. The addition of carbon and other alloying elements gives steel superior strength, durability and versatility compared with pure iron, making it essential for construction, manufacturing, transport and infrastructure. Steel production involves either the basic oxygen furnace method, which uses iron ore and coke, or the electric arc furnace route, which recycles scrap steel. Major steel-producing regions include China, which accounts for more than half of global output, India, Japan, the United States and the European Union. The steel industry is a significant consumer of iron ore, coking coal and energy, and its performance is closely tied to construction activity, automotive manufacturing and capital investment cycles. Steel is traded globally both as a finished product in forms such as rebar, plate, coil and structural sections, and as semi-finished products including billets and slabs. Pricing is influenced by raw material costs, energy prices, demand from key sectors and trade policies including tariffs and quotas. The industry faces ongoing challenges related to overcapacity, environmental regulation and the transition to lower-carbon production methods such as hydrogen-based steelmaking. Steel remains a bellwether for economic activity and industrial development worldwide.

Steel News


Iron-ore pile
China July iron-ore imports slide from June as thinning steel margins curb appetite
7th August 2026 By: Reuters

China's iron-ore imports in July slipped by 4% from the prior month, as some domestic steelmakers began equipment maintenance amid shrinking steel margins, curbing appetite for the key steelmaking... 


Iron-ore lump
Coal India enters iron ore mining after Odisha block win
6th August 2026 By: Reuters

Coal India has won the Gadadharpur iron-ore block in the eastern state of Odisha through a competitive auction, the State's director of mines and geology, Rohit Kumar Lenka, said on Thursday. The... 


This week: Anglo highlights ability to provide capital efficient copper growth in tightening market; Valterra Platinum remains ‘highly confident’ in ‘robust outlook’ for PGM demand and, Decarbonisation reinforcing demand for Kumba Iron Ore‘s high grade, lump products
Resources Watch
5th August 2026

This week: Anglo highlights ability to provide capital efficient copper growth in tightening market; Valterra Platinum remains ‘highly confident’ in ‘robust outlook’ for PGM demand and,... 


Critical minerals
Mining sector not as badly affected by Middle East conflict as first thought, but risks remain
4th August 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Following the release of its mid-year review, global energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac) has highlighted how contained the damage has been in the global mining and metals markets amid... 


Freight trains being loaded with iron-ore in India
India's Odisha state warns iron-ore miners, steelmakers over grade manipulation
4th August 2026 By: Reuters

India's top iron-ore producing state of Odisha has warned steelmakers and miners of strict action over alleged grade manipulation and misdeclaration, according to documents reviewed by Reuters and... 


Iron-ore loading
Iron-ore hits one-year low on trader concerns and demand outlook
3rd August 2026 By: Bloomberg

Iron-ore sank to the lowest level in more than a year amid concerns about a major physical trader of the commodity, which compounded existing market softness linked to a challenging demand outlook.... 


An image of Bloom Lake
Champion Iron Ore’s finances strained in first quarter
30th July 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

High-purity iron-ore producer Champion Iron Ore, with operations in Canada and Norway, produced 3.9-million wet metric tonnes (wmt), sales of 3.3-million dry metric tonnes (dmt), revenue of... 


AMSA insists ‘profitability within reach’ after reporting R1.49bn interim loss
AMSA insists ‘profitability within reach’ after reporting R1.49bn interim loss
30th July 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) insists that it is fundamentally stronger than was the case 18 months ago and that “profitability is within reach”, after reporting a headline loss... 


Itac grants a 20% duty increase on certain rock drilling equipment parts
Itac grants a 20% duty increase on certain rock drilling equipment parts
29th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) has recommended an increase in the general rate of customs duty on certain rock drilling equipment parts, from free of duty... 


Iron-ore in rail wagons
Commodity trader IXM expands portfolio into iron-ore, sources say
29th July 2026 By: Reuters

Global commodity trader IXM is expanding its portfolio into iron-ore, three people familiar with the matter said, even as near-record-low price volatility of the steelmaking ingredient cuts... 


Kumba Iron Ore CEO Mpumi Zikalala.
Decarbonisation reinforcing demand for Kumba Iron Ore‘s high grade, lump products
28th July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The decarbonisation journey of the steel industry is continuing to reinforce demand for the higher-grade ores and lump products of the kind produced by South Africa’s Kumba Iron Ore. These... 


Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau
SA signals intent to prohibit goods produced by forced labour after new 12.5% US tariff
27th July 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau reports that government will publish a Gazette notice requesting public comments on South Africa’s intent to issue regulations to prohibit goods... 


US flag
Trump imposes forced labor duties on 60 trading partners as 10% US tariffs expire
24th July 2026 By: Reuters

The Trump administration on Friday imposed new tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners, including the European Union and China, over allegations of lax enforcement of forced... 


An image of raw iron-ore
Big potential exists for African iron-ore – advisory
24th July 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

South Africa’s, Guinea’s and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s iron-ore sectors are expected to grow significantly in the coming years, owing to the large “high-quality” iron-ore reserves in these... 


An image of Seifsa CEO Tafadzwa Chibanguza
Beneficiation, innovation take centre stage at MCCI conference
23rd July 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

With Middelburg at the heart of the South Africa’s power generation sector, providing about 80% of the country’s energy, there is a need to bolster the use of the region’s resources through... 


Solar panels, wind turbines and transmission lines
Industrial policies must integrate green and development opportunities – TIPS
23rd July 2026 By: Schalk Burger

South Africa has various industry-related policies and master plans that take into account the changes wrought by the global energy transition, but the opportunities and risks arising from these... 


Aluminium bars
Brazil to provide $3.7bn in credit for firms hit by US tariffs
23rd July 2026 By: Reuters

The Brazilian government announced 18.5-billion reais ($3.66-billion) in financing for companies hit by the new US tariffs valid as of Wednesday, adding the resources will also target firms hurt by... 


Group Signing
Industrial decarbonisation accelerated through major energy efficiency programme
23rd July 2026

International leader in decarbonisation GreenYellow and steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa, the South African subsidiary of the world's leading steel and mining company and a major... 


A map indicating the global distribution and regional exposure profile of baseline water stress for mining and metals facilities
Competition for water resources a risk to the global energy transition, warns ICMM
22nd July 2026 By: Chanel de Bruyn

Mining and metals advocacy group the ICMM warns that water availability could, in many regions, act as a constraint on the development of new mines and related facilities, particularly for the... 


Steel rolls
China's steel sector looks weaker than it is, reverse for iron-ore - Reuters
21st July 2026 By: Reuters

China's steel sector presents something of a dilemma in trying to work out if it is soft and likely to continue to weaken, or whether it is actually performing quite strongly given the subdued... 


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pqt: 0.136s - ct: 0.187s - 275pq - 2rq
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