WEEKLY: China mills' import iron ore usage recovers, stocks rebound

The overall operations of Chinese steelmakers have improved recently after production curbs in North China were lifted in the middle of last week, which have led mills to consume more imported iron ore and become more active in replenishing the feedstock, Mysteel's latest survey showed.

During March 12-18, daily consumption of imported sintering fines among the 64 Chinese blast-furnace (BF) steel producers under Mysteel's tracking rose by 10.6% or 56,500 tonnes/day on week to an average of 590,400 t/d, ending a two-week decline. The substantial weekly rebound followed the removal of production restrictions on integrated steelmakers