Iron ore prices in Asia pushed higher on Monday as strong global steel demand buoyed sentiment, and as Chinese steel mills continued to ramp up output despite the government’s scrutiny of their compliance with stricter anti-pollution rules.
“Booming steel production continues to support the iron ore market,” analysts at ANZ told Reuters.
The metal price hit a 10-year high last week, with Benchmark 62% Fe fines imported into Northern China (CFR Qingdao) changing hands for $178.43 a tonne on Friday.
The most-traded September iron ore on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange ended the daytime trading session on Monday 0.8% higher at 1,060 yuan ($162.70) a tonne, rising for a third consecutive session.