Indicators to the development potential of iron ore mining

Objective. Regardless of the weak business cycle of the steel industry at present, the IISI predicts an increase in world steel production over the medium to long term. To meet the accompanying additional demand for iron ore, the mining industry must expand its capacities. Presented is a study of the possibilities and plans which the most important producer countries and mining companies for the seaborne iron ore market have in this regard, and what prospects exist for "green field" projects. Summary. The iron ore producers in the main mining regions of the Western World generally meet the prerequisites to maintain the current level of production over the longer term from the viewpoints of quantity and quality, as well as to raise capacities The availability of fine ores will increase in future at the cost of lump ore supply for deposit-related reasons. Brazil and Australia and, therefore, the mining companies operating there will, in market terms, be able to maintain and probably even expand their strong position on the supplier side. There can be no expectation of the pressure on the market easing in the medium term through projects of non-established companies or through supplies from the CIS beyond the present scope. Possible concentrations in iron ore mining at a national level or transnational mergers could overcome structural disadvantages of individual companies and consequently increase the security of supply.