Chinese prices of key steelmaking raw materials including iron ore and metallurgical coke were under pressure over January 6-10, as steel mills further reined in their production in response to more sluggish steel demand amid the winter lull, Mysteel Global noted.

Shipments of coal and other bulk commodities via North China's Datong-Qinhuangdao (Daqin) railway dropped by a marked 7.1% last year from 2023 to reach 392 million tonnes, an eight-year low, operator Daqin Railway Co., Ltd has announced, short of its 2024 target of 410 million tonnes.

Futures prices for global thermal coal on the International Exchange (ICE) Newcastle extended their losing streak from the start of the new year, dropping below the $120/tonne threshold as an entrenched supply glut overtakes demand. Market participants see little chance of relief in 2025, with overs

Eastern China's Anhui province has finalized thermal coal medium- and long-term purchase contracts between mining companies and end users for 2025 to secure energy supplies throughout the year, the provincial energy administration announced on January 7 via its official website.