en_矿业资讯

China to lift ban on entry of miner Vale`s mega-ships

Source: www.chinamining.org   Citation: Reuters   Date: July 03, 2015

China said on Friday it will allow 400,000-deadweight tonne ships to dock at its ports, officially ending a more than three-year ban that had effectively shut out Brazilian miner Vale SA`s giant vessels.

Four domestic ports - Qingdao, Dalian, Tangshan Caofeidian and Ningbo - will be allowed to receive the carriers after they meet technical standards, China`s state planner, the National Development & Reform Commission, said in a joint statement with the Ministry of Transport.

Vale`s Valexmax mega-ships, which were designed to cut the costs of transporting iron ore to China, were banned by Beijing in early 2012 on safety concerns. The ban stalled Vale`s $4 billion strategy in China, the world`s biggest market for the commodity.

A spokeswoman for Vale declined to comment on the rule change.

Signs of a thaw began appearing last September after Vale signed a deal to sell and lease back ships from China Ocean Shipping Co (COSCO), the country`s largest shipping conglomerate.

China in February issued ship design guidelines recognising ships of 400,000 dwt. Ports that want to receive Valemaxes will be able to apply for permission if they meet these standards, the NDRC said.

A Valemax previously owned by the Brazilian firm anchored at Qingdao`s Dongjiakou port this week, Reuters mapping data showed. The Yuan Zhuo Hai is now owned by China Ore Shipping, a Cosco joint venture, which it bought from Vale in May.

The ability of Valemaxes to take cargoes directly to China and cut costs, by $4-6 a tonne, comes at a crucial time for the firm, with iron ore prices struggling around their lowest since 2009 due to a global supply glut.

While the price collapse has driven higher-cost miners out of the market and increased the market share of giant producers, higher freight charges and longer delivery times means that Vale has not benefited as much as Australian rivals such as Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton .

Australia alone supplied 241.7 million tonnes of iron ore to China in the first five months of the year, up 14.8 percent compared to last year and amounting to almost 64 percent of the total. Brazil supplied 70.89 million tonnes, or 18.7 percent.

Spot prices for ore delivered into Tianjin port dropped 5.3 percent on Thursday to $55.8 per tonne, the sixth consecutive daily decline and its lowest rate since April 23.

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2015 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 20^th-23^rd, 2015. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 17^th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us.  For more information about CHINA MINING 2015, please visit: www.chinaminingtj.org.

China`s demand for Australian thermal coal down 31% on year in fiscal 2015

Source: www.chinamining.org   Citation: Platts   Date: July 01, 2015

China`s intake of thermal coal shipments from countries including Australia and Indonesia is forecast at 157 million mt for the fiscal year ended June 2015, representing a 31% decrease on traded volumes of 229 million mt in the preceding fiscal year period, said the Australian government in a report Tuesday.

"China`s imports [of thermal coal] are forecast to decline by 31% to 157 million [metric] tons in 2015, before recovering slightly to 160 million tons in 2016," said Canberra`s Office of the Chief Economist in a report on Australia`s resources and energy sectors.

"Over the remainder of 2015 and 2016, China`s import growth will continue to be challenged by slowing economic growth, strong hydroelectric output and measures to support the domestic industry," said the report`s section on thermal coal written by economist Kate Penney.

Chinese government attempts to improve air quality in the country`s cities is also impacting demand for imported thermal coal, said the report.

Spot prices for Australian thermal coal are expected to remain under pressure for the rest of 2015 and into 2016 because industry response to overproduction and overcapacity to date has been insufficient to reduce an overhang of supply in the market, said the report.

"However, the supply response has been delayed because of limitations to changing infrastructure supply services, the depreciation of the US dollar relative to the currencies of other major producers, and lower energy prices," said Penney.

JAPAN, KOREA

Steady demand from other key markets including Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in the past fiscal year helped support seaborne-traded volumes of Australian thermal coal which increased by 3.2% to 201 million metric tons in the 2014-15 fiscal year.

"Despite higher volumes, the value of these exports declined by an estimated 7% to A$15.6 billion ($12 billion) because of lower prices," said the report, and adding that Australia`s thermal coal exports for the 2015-2016 fiscal year are likely to be 202 million mt.

Japan`s imports of Australian thermal coal have remained steady in the absence of nuclear power generation and uncertainty over the restart of some nuclear power reactor units.

This uncertainty is likely to support Japan`s thermal coal imports intake at around 148 million mt in the 2015 fiscal year, and 145 million mt in the 2016 fiscal year, said the report.

The Office of the Chief Economist is forecasting a price of about $62/mt FOB Newcastle basis 6,322 kcal/kg GAR for Australian thermal coal sold to Japanese power utilities under year-long term contracts with an April 1, 2016 start date, an 8.5% decline on April 2015`s benchmark price of $67.80/mt.

"In 2015-16, Australia`s thermal coal production is forecast to increase by 1.4% to 249 million mt," said the report.

South Korea`s recent publication of its 7th Power Generation Master Plan suggests some shift away by Seoul from coal-fired power generation over emissions reduction concerns, but the introduction of an import tax for coal is reducing the competitiveness of low calorific value thermal coal, said the report.

South Korea`s imports of thermal coal are expected to rise by 2% between 2015 and 2016 to 102 million mt, said the report.

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2015 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 20^th-23^rd, 2015. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 17^th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us.  For more information about CHINA MINING 2015, please visit: www.chinaminingtj.org.

China`s 10 nonferrous metal output up 8.74% in Jan-May to 20.7 mln tons

Source: www.chinamining.org   Citation: China Knowledge   Date: June 30, 2015

The combined output of the ten nonferrous metals gained 8.74% year on year to 20.7 million tons in the Jan-May period, according to the latest statistics released by the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association.

The output of refined copper rose 9.51% year on year to 30.86 million tons in the five-month period, and the output of primary aluminum saw an increment of 10.25% year on year to 12.82 million tons.

Meanwhile, the output of lead edged down 1.19% year on year to 1.67 million tons in the period, and the output of zinc went up 13.39% from a year earlier to 2.51 million tons in the first five months.

In the month of May 2015, the country`s average daily output of 10 nonferrous metal products hit 139,800 tons, 11.26% higher than in the corresponding period of last year.

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2015 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 20^th-23^rd, 2015. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 17^th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us.  For more information about CHINA MINING 2015, please visit: www.chinaminingtj.org.

Copper futures rise on stabilizing Chinese manufacturing data

Source: www.chinamining.org   Citation: Reuters   Date: June 29, 2015

Shanghai copper futures inched up Friday as China`s factory activity showed signs of stabilizing in June, helping to boost investor confidence.

The most-traded copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE), for August delivery, closed at 42,300 yuan ($6,815) per ton Friday, up 330 yuan from Thursday. A total of 259,030 lots changed hands Friday, 53,460 fewer than on the previous trading day. The August contract rose 0.95 percent for the week.

The benchmark three-month copper contract on the London Metal Exchange closed at $5,762 a ton Friday, compared with $5,761.50 a ton Thursday.

"Metals were largely down. The removal of a cap on lending by commercial banks in China saw metals such as copper supported in Asian trade. However risk aversion in European hours saw copper give up all those gains, and more," according to a note sent to the Global Times Friday by ANZ Banking Group.

China`s manufacturing sector showed signs of stabilizing as the latest HSBC survey of manufacturers issued Tuesday gave a preliminary reading for June of 49.6, it highest in three months.

London copper was on track for its first weekly gain since mid-May Friday, which was mainly supported by early signs that Chinese stimulus measures may support the market and offset the impact of a seasonal slowdown in demand, Reuters reported Friday.

"Although the dollar has been strong, copper prices have been relatively stable. That suggests that people are becoming more optimistic," Jonathan Barratt, chief investment officer at Sydney`s Ayers Alliance, told Reuters.

Traders said buyers in China domestic market have paid the highest premiums last week for spot refined copper since January as supplies fell this month and demand rose from makers of copper rods, tubes and cable, Reuters reported Friday.

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2015 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 20^th-23^rd, 2015. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 17^th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us.  For more information about CHINA MINING 2015, please visit: www.chinaminingtj.org.

China to further tighten coal quality controls on 1 July

Source: www.chinamining.org   Citation: EconoTimes   Date: June 25, 2015

China`s move to tighten coal quality, effective 1 January 2015, led to a significant decline in China`s coal imports in Q1.

Coal imports consumed by the domestic market were limited to coal with ash content below 40% and sulphur content below 3%. Testing at ports initially took 15 days, resulting in a cargo pile-up. Due to these restrictions, China`s Q1-2015 imports from Indonesia fell 47% y/y to 19mt, the lowest for a quarter since Q1-2011.

Indonesia was China`s largest coal supplier (106mt) in 2014. China is tightening its coal quality controls further, with effect from 1 July 2015.

The stricter criteria now extend to all saleable coal - either domestically produced or imported - in the China market, with the new specifications even stricter than those enforced on 1 January.

Coal quality is likely to be tested at ports and at the point of utilization, namely at power utilities and chemical industries. We see this as a broad-based approach to ease China`s pollution woes and reduce carbon emissions, rather than an effort to further restrict coal import volumes to rebalance the domestic oversupplied market.

As such, while shipment delays are expected, China`s imports from Indonesia are not expected to decline significantly as a result of stricter coal quality control.

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2015 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 20^th-23^rd, 2015. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 17^th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us.  For more information about CHINA MINING 2015, please visit: www.chinaminingtj.org.

Imported iron ore prices fall

Source: www.chinamining.org   Citation: Xinhua   Date: June 24, 2015

Prices of imported iron ore at 33 major Chinese ports fell last week due to weak demand, a report showed on Tuesday. For the week ending June 22, the price index for imported iron ore of 62-percent purity dropped four points from the previous week to 61. The index for iron ore of 58-percent purity fell four points to 55, according to the Xinhua-China Iron Ore Index.

Inventories of imported iron ore stood at 78.83 million tonnes, down 1.41 million tonnes, or 1.56 percent, from the previous period (June 9 to 15).

The report said the slide in steel prices will continue to weigh on prices of imported iron ore.

China produced less steel in the first quarter of 2015 as demand shrank amid a slowing economy and government moves to overhaul the saturated sector, official data showed.

The index tracks changes in the domestic iron ore market on the basis of surveys of major sea ports, iron ore traders, steel makers and customs statistics.

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2015 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 20^th-23^rd, 2015. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 17^th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us.  For more information about CHINA MINING 2015, please visit: www.chinaminingtj.org.

China crude oil output up 1.7 pct

Source: www.chinamining.org   Citation: Xinhua   Date: June 24, 2015

Crude oil output in China reached 87.69 million tonnes in the first five months of 2015, a year on year increase of 1.7 percent, according to the top economic planner. China refined 195.26 million tonnes of crude oil during the period, up 3.8 percent year on year, while refined oil production rose 6 percent to 123.55 million tonnes, the National Development and Reform Commission said in an online statement.

Apparent consumption of refined oil, calculated as production plus imports minus exports, increased 4.4 percent from a year earlier to 113.04 million tonnes.

In a separate statement, the planner said natural gas output totaled 55.5 billion cubic meters during the January-May period, up 4 percent year on year.

Imports of natural gas saw an increase of 5.6 percent to 24.7 billion cubic meters, while apparent consumption came in at 77.2 billion cubic meters, the commission said.

China`s appetite for energy has grown substantially amid rapid industrialization and urbanization.

Domestic crude oil output is expected to grow by 0.4 percent to reach 217 million tonnes in 2015, while refined oil and natural gas output will reach 294 million tonnes and 134.4 billion cubic meters respectively, according to a report released by a research center and a publishing house with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences earlier this month.

Meanwhile, refined oil net exports are estimated to reach 20.8 million tonnes, up 41.9 percent year on year, with export of diesel taking the lead, the report said

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2015 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 20^th-23^rd, 2015. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 17^th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us.  For more information about CHINA MINING 2015, please visit: www.chinaminingtj.org.

Possible two-year wait for China to eliminate thermal coal import tariff

Source: www.chinamining.org   Citation: Platts   Date: June 18, 2015

Australian thermal coal shippers such as BHP Billiton, Glencore, Peabody Energy and Rio Tinto may potentially have to wait until June 2017 for China to eliminate its 6% tariff on imports of Australian thermal coal, the Australian government said in a statement Wednesday.

Marking the official signing of Australia`s free-trade agreement with China Wednesday, the statement issued by Canberra said: "The tariffs on coking coal will be removed on day one, with the tariff on thermal coal being phased out over two years."

Beijing introduced a 6% tariff on Australian thermal coal arriving in Chinese ports last October, and importers in China have effectively passed its cost back to coal shippers in Australia.

At the same time last year, China imposed the 3% import tax on Australian coking coal imports that is now being lifted.

The import tariff has shielded China`s domestic coal industry from the competitive threat of seaborne-traded thermal coal from Australia -- China`s largest supplier -- and other exporters such as Russia and South Africa. Indonesian thermal coal is exempt from China`s import tax because of a pre-existing free trade deal.

Australia shipped A$9.3 billion ($7.2 billion) worth of coal exports to China in the fiscal year 2013-14, comprising around A$5.9 billion of coking coal and A$3.5 billion of thermal coal.

The China-Australian Free Trade Agreement is billed as a launchpad for increased trade between the two countries, the value of which totaled A$160 billion in fiscal 2013-14, the Australian government in its statement.

"On day one of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, more than 85% of Australian goods exports will be tariff free, rising to 95% on full implementation," it added.

China has agreed to immediately remove tariffs on some resource products such as its 8% tax on Australian aluminum oxide, which will benefit Australian exporters to the tune of A$1.3 billion a year, the Australian government said. Tariffs on Australian manufactured goods such as automotive engines and pharmaceuticals are also being phased out by China.

Canberra has in the past year implemented free-trade agreements with Japan and South Korea which, together with the latest one with China, mean 55% of Australian exports are now covered by such agreements.

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2015 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 20^th-23^rd, 2015. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 17^th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us.  For more information about CHINA MINING 2015, please visit: www.chinaminingtj.org.