Australian mining giant BHP, said on Thursday quarterly iron output at 72.7 mln metric tons. This put annual iron ore output for FY23 at 285.3 mln metric tons, a record. Quarterly iron ore output rose, aided by a continued ramp-up at its South Flank project. South Flank is on track to hit full capacity by end 2024. BHP said unit costs at its Western Australia iron ore operations and Chilean copper mine Escondida are expected to be towards the upper … Continue reading “BHP Record Full Year Iron Ore Output, Copper Production Up 9%”
Australia Trade Surplus Rises More Than Expected in May to $12.237 Billion
Australia posted a larger than expected trade surplus of A$11.791 billion in May, up from a downwardly revised AUD 10.45 billion in April, beating market forecasts of A$10.5 billion the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported. Exports rose more than imports. Shipments grew by 4.4% from April to A$57.77 billion, boosted by increases in non-monetary gold, with total exports to Australia’s largest trade partner China. rising by 9%. Imports rose 2.5% to a four-month high of A$45.98 billion powered by robust … Continue reading “Australia Trade Surplus Rises More Than Expected in May to $12.237 Billion”
Australia Trade Surplus in December $12.237 Billion Impacted by Australians Travel Spend
Australia posted a trade surplus of A$12.24 billion in December, impacted by exports of mineral fuels and mining goods impacted by the war in Ukraine. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported imports had risen by $445 million from November, driven by an increase in travel services as more Australians headed overseas for the holidays. Exports fell by $793 million. The report was amid softening global demand as China battled with a resurgence of coronavirus infections. When China slows down, Australian … Continue reading “Australia Trade Surplus in December $12.237 Billion Impacted by Australians Travel Spend”
Australia Trade Surplus Widened in November to $13.2 billion With Iron Ore Exports Higher 7.9%
Australia posted a trade surplus of A$13.2 billion in November exceeding expectations for a surplus of A$10.5 billion following the A$12.217 billion surplus in October and $12.5 billion in September. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported exports dipping 0.4 per cent and imports falling 1.5 per cent over the month. The report was amid softening global demand as China battled with a resurgence of coronavirus infections. Australia’s’ leading exports were Metal ores and minerals exports (iron ore) $14,502 billion up … Continue reading “Australia Trade Surplus Widened in November to $13.2 billion With Iron Ore Exports Higher 7.9%”
Steel Rebar Futures Lowest in Two Years Impacted by China’s Dynamic Zero-COVID Policy
Steel rebar futures fell to the lowest in two-years Monday at CNY 3,650 per tonne. Deepening recession fears and heavy losses in Chinese bonds and stocks following the reelection of President Xi. Steel rebar and Iron ore futures have been a clear leader from the early days of the raw materials rally. They are also the most volatile. Volatility is fed multiple things, the property sector, energy prices, interest rates, COVID policy and the ongoing trade war between the world’s biggest … Continue reading “Steel Rebar Futures Lowest in Two Years Impacted by China’s Dynamic Zero-COVID Policy”
BHP Quarterly Iron Ore Output Higher with Continued Ramp Up at South Flank Mine
Australian mining giant BHP said on Wednesday its quarterly iron ore output rose, aided by a continued ramp-up at its South Flank project. BHP continues in sync to replace diminishing iron ore output from its existing Yandi mine which is nearing the end of its life. The first ore from its $4.6 billion South Flank mine in the Pilbara, WA was mined earlier this year. Production in the September quarter has stayed high while at the same time spot prices … Continue reading “BHP Quarterly Iron Ore Output Higher with Continued Ramp Up at South Flank Mine”
Australia Current Account Surplus Twelfth Straight in Q1 2022 but Lowest Since Q4 2019
Australia posted a current account surplus that missed expectations of $13.2 billion significantly for the March quarter after it decreased by $5.7 billion to $7.5 billion (seasonally adjusted) in the March quarter. Import volumes far outstripped exports which took a slice out of economic growth. Higher dividend payments to non-residents as profits continued to rise on the back of higher commodity prices affected the deficit, “The current surplus narrowed for the third consecutive quarter and was the lowest since December … Continue reading “Australia Current Account Surplus Twelfth Straight in Q1 2022 but Lowest Since Q4 2019”
Australia October Trade Surplus AUD+11.22bn With Exports Lower on Iron Ore Prices
Australia posted a trade surplus of A$11.22 billion in October exceeding expectations for a surplus of A$11.0 billion. It was the smallest trade surplus since May, amid softening global demand as more countries battled with a resurgence of coronavirus infections. Follows a downwardly revised A$11.82 billion trade surplus in September (from A$12.243 billion). Exports fell 3.0% m/m or A$1.491 billion to A$43.053 billion. Goods were down 3.0% and services fell 6.0% Imports also slipped 3.0 percent on month or A$887 … Continue reading “Australia October Trade Surplus AUD+11.22bn With Exports Lower on Iron Ore Prices”
Rio Tinto Lowers 2021 Iron Ore Shipments Forecast on Tight Western Australian Labor Market
Australian mining giant Rio Tinto Group (RIO) on Friday reduced its 2021 Pilbara iron ore shipments forecast as the COVID lockdowns, Supply crunch were further hampered by a tighter labour market in Western Australia. These have all led to a delay of the completion of a new greenfield mine at Gudai-Darri.
Bloomberg Commodity Spot Index Soars To Record Highs With Food and Energy Crisis
A key guage of Commodities prices which tracks 23 energy, metals and crop futures contracts continued to surge higher over record highs set in 2011. Incredibly since hitting a four-year low in March 2020 the index has surged more than 90%.