The further adventures of iron ore

摘要

Metal Bulletin is hosting its annual China Iron Ore conference in Beijing this week at an important moment for the iron ore market. It may be a cliche to speak of an "important moment" in iron ore, given all the changes of the past few years, but it's still true, and here are five themes that should come up during the week to prove it: Prices: stronger for longer... or not? The relentless rise of iron ore prices this century has prompted a revolution in how ore is bought and sold, and brought the steelmaking raw material to the attention of the mainstream media. Butisthe market already past its best? The wave of new supplies is going to get bigger and bigger, particularly from next year. Which iron ore hopefuls will turn hopeless in the next few years as prices fall back? Any bets on when prices will fall back below$100 pertonne?