ferro-alloys.com:India's iron ore export business hindered by COVID-19 pandemic

Iron ore futures opened higher Monday in daytime trading on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE).

Iron ore futures closed lower on Monday in daytime trading at the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE).

The China Iron Ore Price Index (CIOPI) dropped slightly at the end of March from the previous month due to the decline in steel output, according to the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA).

Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) is introducing new measures at its Pilbara operations in Western Australia to combat the coronavirus.

Nationwide lockdowns and restrictions on activity to contain the Covid-19 pandemic could reduce the supply of iron ore in the seaborne market by around 18 million tonnes this year, according to mining company Vale.

Anglo American is expecting a production impact of 2-3 million tonnes at its Kumba iron ore operations in 2020, following a decision to operate with around half of its workforce during a 21-day lockdown in South Africa that started this week.

Brazilian miner Vale is seeking alternatives to waste disposal at its Brucutu iron ore mine to produce at 80% capacity this year.