The company said it expects iron-ore production to almost double and that its steel business would improve as well.
Iron ore production next year is expected to increase to 265 million tonnes from its present level of 237 million tonnes.
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KCM's ore production and expand the mine's life from 2012 until 2035.
As we had mentioned then, the most significant advantage to Cliffs from the acquisition is the increase in its North American iron ore production capacity.
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We expect this trend to continue in the coming years as the biggest iron ore consumer, China, continues to explore domestic sources of iron ore production.
Rio Tinto ( RTP - news - people ) increased its forecast for iron ore production on the back of strong demand from China.
Based on the predicted increase in iron ore production for Cliffs for the rest of the Trefis forecast period, we expect an upside of more than 10% to our initial share price for Cliffs.
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We expect a gradual reduction in the quantity of steel sold to ArcelorMittal, given that the renewal of umbrella agreement between ArcelorMittal and Cliffs seems unlikely, and also as ArcelorMittal focuses on expanding its iron-ore production capacity globally.
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In a meeting with analysts and investors, Rio Tinto CEO, Sam Walsh, said that the company will most likely go ahead with its proposal to expand iron ore production over the next few years, barring a major structural change in the market.
Iron ore was the largest contributor to Anglo's profit in 2011, but the firm said production at its key Kumba Iron Ore unit fell 19% to nine million tonnes, after five million tonnes of production were lost at its Sishen mine due to the strike.
China is undergoing a sweeping infrastructure build-out that has created an almost insatiable demand for coal, copper and iron ore (for steel production).
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Mining rates are averaging approximately 200, 000 metric tons per day, which is approximately two thirds of normal production rates, and essentially all mining rates dedicated to the production of ore to feed the concentrator and the leach pad which are both operating at near capacity levels, the company said.
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Tata, which mines all the iron ore and coal it needs, now aims to carry out primary steel production close to its iron-ore deposits, and then ship semi-finished steel for finishing close to foreign consumer markets.
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Cliffs Natural Resources (NYSE: CLF), which makes iron ore that goes to steel production.
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Steelmakers have been defaulting on their obligations to purchase iron ore, a sure sign production will tumble soon.
But the company has been facing difficulties in the recent past with lower quality copper ore, resulting in reduced production levels for the company.
But, over the past few days a string of gloomy steel production and iron ore price forecasts has trimmed the share prices of all iron ore miners with the potential for worse to come if the price projections are accurate.
China is expected to bring 50 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fueled generation in 2011 which will demand an additional 175 million metric tons of coal use, while China is expected to need an additional 250 million tons by 2017, according to Peabody. (Read Production Of Iron Ore, Copper, Coal Falling, Is Goldman Sachs Wrong?).
The other significant industrial user is iron and steel production, though iron ore and various other metals used to make alloys are also significant costs.
They too want to reopen some of their closed mines to look for low-grade ore, and plan to expand production through joint ventures with international players.
The current phase of production at the Ekati Diamond Mine includes ore sourced primarily from the lower grade, but high carat value, Fox open pit supplemented by underground production from the lower portion of the Koala kimberlite pipe and from the Koala North pipe.
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The North American iron ore division produces iron ore pellets for use in blast furnaces as part of the steelmaking process, and currently has a rated annual production capacity of 27 million tons of iron ore.
Mining group Anglo American has reported a drop in fourth quarter production of platinum and iron ore.
Demand for iron ore is strongly correlated to Chinese steel production growth.
The huge size of the Chinese industry now makes it a dominant force in both the global steel market and the market for production inputs such as iron ore and metallurgical coal.
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Iron ore, also a key component in the production of steel, seems poised to pop.
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Iron ore and coking coal are used in the production of new steel.
Moreover, lower quality copper ore has resulted in a decline in the production levels for the company in the past.
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