65% Iron Ore Price Increase Agreed

Nippon Steel from Japan have agreed to a 65% rise in the price the company will pay for iron ore in term contracts which begin effective on April 1: Which will be great for Rio Tinto and BHP. A price rise of 50% or more has been widely expected after record highs in 2007 and continuously strong Chinese demand. Traditionally, all steel mills accept whatever price is first settled by any steel mill and one of the three top miners, Brazil's Vale or Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton. Last year was the first time the Chinese mills had signed the deal - while arguing that they should have first rights in setting prices since they are the world's largest consumers of iron ore.