The period between 2004 to 2012 saw unprecedented growth in the resources sector driven primarily by massive increases in the demand for steel making minerals in China. Over the past four years the sector has transitioned from project construction and expansion to a focus on maximising production volumes and reducing operating costs. Softer commodity prices in the bulk commodities are both a function of increased supply and the slowdown of demand growth in China. However, demand from China remains strong. In 2010, Western Australia’s share of the iron ore market in China was 43.5% or 270 million tonnes, in 2015 it was 64%, which equated to 607 million tonnes. While iron ore prices strengthened in late 2016 and early 2017, … Continue reading IRON ORE