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| HOME >> Topics List >> May, 2009 >> 29 (Fri) |
| Major Events In May 09 Over Ferrous Raw Materials (2) |
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May 13: <China's iron ore imports set new record 57 Mt in April as well> According to China's Customs Statistics for April 2009 announced by the country's Customs General Administration May 12, iron ore imports into the country during the period were 57 Mt, a further increase of 5 Mt from the previous month, breaking monthly records for three straight months. By value imports in April amounted to US$4,403,365 thousand and unitary import prices averaged US$77.25 per ton. This last figure was US$56.58 or 42.3% lower than US$133.83 in the same month last year. Derived January to April iron ore imports totaled 188.46 Mt, an increase of 35.13 Mt or 22.9% from 153.33 Mt in the previous comparable period. By value the four-month imports totaled US$14,983,113 thousand, which was a decrease of US$5,424,557 thousand or 26.6% from US$20,407,670 thousand. May 14: <Tokiwakai's end April H-beam stocks alltime low 205,900 tons> Japan's Tokiwakai group of domestic steel distributors saw their nationwide H-beam stocks diminish to an alltime low of 205,900 tons at the end of April 2009, down 14,900 tons or 6.7% from a month ago, when stocks fell off for five consecutive months, according to Nippon Steel Corp (NSC). NSC pointed out the impact of H-beam production cutbacks at domestic steel mills amid a continued low level inquiries and cargo movements for H-beams. Still, the H-beam market is changing in its basic tone, the Company noted, making the following comments: Overseas a fall of demand is easing thanks to economic stimulus measures being taken in various countries. China's 4-trillion RMB stimulus package in particular is lending itself to arousing steel demand. The foundations of an economic stimulus in South Korea are taking shape being upheld by increased public investments and measures to correct a depreciation of the won. <Noble Group to build, operate Paradip Port iron ore facility in India> Hong Kong-based global supply chain manager Noble Group announced May 13 that a consortium led by the Group has been issued a Letter of Award by the Paradip Port Trust to build, operate and transfer (BOT) a mechanical facility for handling iron ore at Paradip Port, India for a period of 30 years. MMTC Limited and Gammon Infrastructure Projects Limited complete the consortium. The consortium is designing the berth and associated infrastructure to accommodate a throughput of 10 Mt/a of iron ore. Construction of the project is scheduled over a 3 year period which also features a stockpile area development of more than 82,000 square meters. <Australian OPR welcomes Federal Gov's support of Oakajee Port Construction> The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government in the Federal Government of Australia announced May 12 that the Federal Government will contribute funds towards six projects in the 'pipeline' of projects identified by Infrastructure Australia, including $339.0 million for an equity injection into the Oakajee Port Common User Facilities. Oakajee Port and Rail (OPR), joint venture company established to undertake construction of infrastructure for the deepwater Oakajee Port produced a statement May 13 welcoming the Federal Government's support. May 15: <China's Apr 09 crude steel output down 3.9% to 43.41 Mt> According to China's statistical data on domestic production in April 2009 of major industrial products announced by National Bureau of Statistics on May 13, iron and steel production during the period by large-scaled steel companies with annual revenue in excess of 5 million RMB turned out to be as follows: pig iron 41.631 Mt, an increase of 0.4% from the previous comparable month, crude steel 43.413 Mt, a decrease of 3.9%, and steel products 52.915 Mt, an increase of 2.6%. <Centrex Metals to turn into iron ore producer> Australian Centrex Metals Limited announced May 14 that a signed offer for a 10-year Mining Lease for the Company's mainstay Wilgerup Hematite mine, 30 km southeast of Lock on Eyre Peninsula, has been received from the Ministry for Mineral Resources Development in South Australia. The Mining Lease offer marks the penultimate step in the Company's progression from explorer to producer on Eyre Peninsula. The offer of a Mining Lease includes specific site environmental and operating conditions that must be accepted by Centrex for the Mining lease to be registered by Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA). Centrex has reviewed the site specific lease conditions and believes they represent sound industry practices and do not present onerous requirements upon the Company. <Bonython Port development also on Infrastructure Australia's priority list> Following the May 12 announcement of the Federal Government of Australia, the Government's working group, "Infrastructure Australia" has disclosed the priority list of projects constituting the objects of the governmental support. It has turned out that development of Bonython port (South Australia) is also included in the list in addition to Oakajee Port (South Australia) and Darwin Port (Northern Territory). Early in 2008 four Australian mining companies established the Port Bonython Bulk Users Group ("PBBUG") to expedite the development of a dry bulk common user export port facility in South Australia. They are Centrex Metals, IMX Resources, Ironclad Mining, and Western Plains Resources (WPG), of which this last WPG welcomed the federal governmental support, stating: "Port Bonython is expected to be developed as a 20 Mt/a port for dry bulk commodity exports that will be capable of handling Capesize ships, and which will be linked to the standard gauge rail network. |
| last modified : Wed 03 Jun, 2009 [10:24] |
