Demand for direct-charge steelmaking raw materials iron ore pellets and lump has been limited due to steelmakers' focus on cost efficiency amid the ongoing sintering restrictions in China, sources told Fastmarkets.
As a result, prices for both iron ore lump and pellets have eased and will likely continue to fall further because of the weakness in demand, they said.The primary driver for the weaker demand for the direct-charge raw materials was the narrowing margins steel mills were observing because of lower steel prices, according...