Posted on 05 Nov 2019
Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (Imidro) chairman Khodadad Gharibpour says Iran’s 25% iron ore export duty is likely to be increased. This is because it is not enough of a deterrent to prevent iron ore exports.
He was speaking after Imidro supplied Esfahan Steel (Esco) with 1.75 million tonnes of iron ore after the steelmaker struggled to secure supply. According to Gharibpour, Iranian iron ore companies should not invest downstream in steel production because it will cause iron ore supply problems for domestic steelmakers. Iranian officials are working on eliminating the need for iron ore exports, he added.
In the six months through 22 September Iran’s major iron ore miners reported a 4% on-year rise in concentrate production to 23.74 million tonnes (see Kallanish passim). Esco said earlier this year it plans to restart its idled blast furnace no.1, permitted there is sufficient supply of iron ore lumps.
