Steel futures in China traded in a tight range on Monday, hit by fears over the new Omicron coronavirus variant, while coking coal and coke prices fell on a plunge in thermal coal futures.
Brazilian miner Vale SA on Monday lowered the ceiling for its 2021 iron ore production outlook to 320 million tonnes from a previous estimate of 335 million tonnes, while leaving the lower end of the forecast range at 315 million tonnes.
Brazilian police have recommended multiple criminal charges against miner Vale SA and Germany's TUV SUD for their role in a 2019 dam burst that killed 270 people and caused extensive environmental damage, according to a statement on Friday.
The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index rose on Thursday, buoyed by gains for panamax and supramax vessels that countered a dip in rates for the larger capesize segment.
Chinese coking coal futures surged more than 13% on Wednesday, boosted by improving sentiment in the property market and expectations of higher steelmaking demand at mills, although analysts are flagging risks on weak fundamentals.