Original article by Nick Evans
The Australian – Page: 21 : 21-Aug-19

BHP has become the world’s lowest-cost iron ore producer, after its average unit cost of production fell to $US11.89 a tonne in the second half of 2018-19. Meanwhile, BHP expects iron ore shipments from the Pilbara to top 286 million tonnes in 2019-20. However, BHP does face some challenges; it recently advised that the iron content of its Jimblebar Fines iron ore product will fall from 61 per cent to 59.5 per cent during 2019-20, while two autonomous haulage trucks at the Jimblebar mine remain out of action following a collision in March.

CORPORATES
BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO

Original article by Nick Toscano
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: Online : 19-Aug-19

BHP recently advised that the iron content of its ‘Jimblebar Fines’ iron ore product will fall from 61 per cent to 59.5 per cent during 2019-20. Jimblebar Fines accounts for around 15 per cent of BHP’s iron ore sales from Western Australia, with most of its Pilbara output being exported to China. Industry observers indicate that the iron content downgrade is partly the result of problems with BHP’s fleet of autonomous trucks, which has required it to mine in pits with lower-quality ore.

CORPORATES
BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO

Original article by Brad Thompson
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 18 : 7-Aug-19

The Iron Bridge magnetite project will significantly increase Fortescue Metals Group’s shipments from Port Hedland, with production slated to commence in 2022. The pure-play iron ore miner has indicated that its port infrastructure will be able to cope with the increased export volumes. Meanwhile, CEO Elizabeth Gaines says the Western Australian government is resisting Fortescue’s efforts to have royalty relief extended to the Iron Bridge project. The royalty discount applies to CITIC’s Sino Iron magnetite project and Ansteel’s Karara project.

CORPORATES
FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LIMITED – ASX FMG, CITIC LIMITED, ANSHAN IRON AND STEEL COMPANY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PREMIER AND CABINET

Original article by Peter Ker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 14 : 30-Jul-19

BHP intends to maintain production volumes at its Jimblebar iron ore mine over the next year, as it mines a lower-grade section of the deposit. This will have no impact on the mine’s lump iron ore product, but the iron content of the higher-grade Jimblebar Fines product will fall from 61 per cent to 59.5 per cent during 2019-20. BHP has indicated that it will aim to lift the iron content of Jimblebar Fines above 60 per cent again in 2020-21. The price discount for lower-grade iron ore narrowed in 2018-19 due to supply disruptions.

CORPORATES
BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP, FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LIMITED – ASX FMG, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, MACQUARIE GROUP LIMITED – ASX MQG, DALIAN COMMODITY EXCHANGE