Iron ore export volumes via Port Hedland held stable for October 2021, with continuing firm demand from key Asian partners.
Sales to China increased by just over 1% month-on-month to 39,098,056 tonnes despite enforced industrial shutdowns leading in to the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics. The figure represented a 1.5% drop in tonnage compared to the previous year.
Sales to Japan dropped by 33% month-on-month, while South Korea saw a more moderate 2.3% decline.
Exports of manganese ore via the port rose by 143% to 178,500 tonnes, while spodumene concentrate saw a sharp decline of 64% compared to September.
Copper concentrate exports increased by 8% to 21,732 tonnes, with output headed to Japan and the Philippines.