B08 Metal Ore Mining

Fortescue unfazed by trade tensions

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Original article by Brad Thompson
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 15 : 21-May-18

Fortescue Metals Group CEO Elizabeth Gaines says trade tensions between the US and China did not attract much attention at a recent Bank of America/Merrill Lynch conference in the US. President Donald Trump is threatening to impose tariffs on steel and other products, but Gaines says China exports very little steel to the US. She adds that sentiment concerning mining and commodities is very positive at present.

CORPORATES
FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LIMITED – ASX FMG, BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION, MERRILL LYNCH AND COMPANY INCORPORATED, WESFARMERS LIMITED – ASX WES, AGL ENERGY LIMITED – ASX AGL, HELLOWORLD TRAVEL LIMITED – ASX HLO

BHP explores growth options

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Original article by Matt Chambers
The Australian – Page: 20 : 17-May-18

BHP Billiton CEO Andrew Mackenzie has told a conference in the US that the group’s debt is now within its target range of $US10bn to $US15bn, compared with $US15.4bn at the end of 2017. He also flagged further capital returns to shareholders and said BHP has a range of growth options that could potentially add value to the tune of $US15bn. Meanwhile, Rio Tinto CEO Jean-Sebastien Jacques has told the conference that the resources giant may use some excess cash to finance acquisitions rather than return it to shareholders.

CORPORATES
BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION, MERRILL LYNCH AND COMPANY INCORPORATED

Forrest joins Bishop in China media attack

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Original article by Brad Thompson
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 15 : 16-May-18

Fortescue Metals Group has exported more than one billion tonnes of iron ore since its inaugural shipment to a Chinese customer in May 2008. Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest has marked the 10th anniversary by criticising the Australian media’s coverage of China. He was especially scathing of the print media’s on the negative aspects of Australia’s relationship with China. Meanwhile, Forrest said Fortescue is progressing with its expansion into South America, as well as plans to diversify into other minerals.

CORPORATES
FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LIMITED – ASX FMG, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE, SHANGHAI BAOSTEEL GROUP CORPORATION

Robo trains cut Rio’s iron ore journey time by 20pc

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Original article by Peter Ker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 16 : 15-May-18

Rio Tinto has advised that a project to automate its iron ore trains in the Pilbara should be completed and receive regulatory approval by the end of 2018. Rio Tinto executive Steve McIntosh has told a conference in Sydney that about 65 per cent of its trains are currently running in autonomous mode with a driver on board, and the automated trains can arrive at the port about 20 per cent faster than regular trains. The AutoHaul project has been marred by delays and cost over-runs.

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, ANSALDO STS, ROY HILL HOLDINGS PTY LTD

Bank scandals to impact all business: BHP

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Original article by Peter Ker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 15 : 14-May-18

BHP CEO Andrew Mackenzie warns that the banking royal commission’s revelations about misconduct in the financial sector have implications for the broader business community. He says other companies will have to be more transparent and accountable, particularly with regard to remuneration. A survey has found that BHP’s reputation has risen strongly in the wake of a marketing campaign and rebranding in 2017. BHP and Rio Tinto have had their own scandals in recent years, including corruption investigations and tax disputes.

CORPORATES
BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, AUSTRALIA. ROYAL COMMISSION INTO MISCONDUCT IN THE BANKING, SUPERANNUATION AND FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, SAMARCO MINERACAO SA, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA, UNITED STATES. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Rio, Alcoa, Apple in green aluminium bid

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Original article by Matt Chambers
The Australian – Page: 21 : 11-May-18

Rio Tinto aims to commercialise a new aluminium smelting process that does not generate carbon dioxide emissions within six years. The resources group will develop the Elysis process in partnership with Alcoa and technology giant Apple. Aluminium generates carbon dioxide emissions from both the smelting process itself and the electricity that is consumer in its production. Rio Tinto and Alcoa claim that the Elysis process is the industry’s most significant innovation in more than a century.

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, ALCOA INCORPORATED, APPLE INCORPORATED

Resources bull run ‘won’t last’

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Original article by Glenda Korporaal
The Australian – Page: 43 : 9-May-18

The Federal Government’s Budget bottom line has been bolstered by stronger-than-expected commodity prices, although its economic forecasts for coming years are based on expectations of a fall in the price of iron ore and metallurgical coal. The Budget papers also forecast that Australia’s terms of trade will rise by 1.5 per cent in 2017-18, followed by a decline over the next four years, including a 5.25 per cent fall in 2018-19. The Budget also notes that the global price of oil will have a greater influence on Australia’s export revenue in coming years as the nation’s LNG exports increase.

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Rinehart’s Roy Hill exports yo-yo in a struggle for consistency

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Original article by Peter Ker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 17 : 7-May-18

Roy Hill Holdings has indicated that its iron ore export volumes in April 2018 were consistent with its target of shipping 55 million tonnes a year. Although Roy Hill does not usually release data on its export volumes, Port Hedland statistics suggest that it shipped less than 11.7 million tonnes in the March 2018 quarter, which implies an annualised rate of around 47 million tonnes. Peter O’Connor of Shaw & Partners says the end of the cyclone season should enable Roy Hill to achieve its target run rate over the next three quarters.

CORPORATES
ROY HILL HOLDINGS PTY LTD, PORT HEDLAND PORT AUTHORITY, SHAW AND PARTNERS LIMITED, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LIMITED – ASX FMG, ATLAS IRON LIMITED – ASX AGO, MINERAL RESOURCES LIMITED – ASX MIN, BCI MINERALS LIMITED – ASX BCI

Sandfire builds war chest for next big find

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Original article by Vesna Poljak
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 27 : 4-May-18

Sandfire Resources CEO Karl Simich is hopeful of more discoveries in the DeGrussa and Monty region, and he plans to boost exploration activity on the back of improved cash flow. Sandfire owns the DuGrassa copper and gold mine, which is currently slated to operate until 2022. Sandfire recently spent $A2 million to acquire a 7.7 per cent in Adriatic Metals, and Simich said he is looking forward to more exploration results from Adriatic’s zinc project, which is in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

CORPORATES
SANDFIRE RESOURCES NL – ASX SFR, ADRIATIC METALS PLC – ASX ADT, SIRIUS MINERALS PLC, INDEPENDENCE GROUP NL – ASX IGO

Pilbara red has Rinehart in the pink

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Original article by Jennifer Hewett
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 2 : 3-May-18

The Roy Hill iron ore mine has achieved its annual production target of 55 million tonnes. Mining magnate Gina Rinehart marked the milestone with events that were attended by Roy Hill employees and representatives of Hancock Prospecting’s offshore partners in the project. Rinehart also used the occasion to launch an additional two pink haulage trucks, which bear the names of breast cancer victims. Rinehart aims to increase annual production to 60 million tonnes.

CORPORATES
ROY HILL HOLDINGS PTY LTD, HANCOCK PROSPECTING PTY LTD, MARUBENI CORPORATION, POSCO, CHINA STEEL CORPORATION, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP