BHP Billiton, the world's biggest mining company, shipped 5% more iron ore from Australia in December than in November, when exports hit a nine-month low on plunging demand from China.
The worlds third-biggest iron ore producer exported 10.6 million metric tonnes from Western Australia in December, after 10.1 million tonnes in November, according to the Port Hedland Port Authority website.
Steel, which has slumped by half since trading at a record in July, may be poised for a rebound as mills in China, the world's largest producer of the metal, gain from infrastructure spending. China plans 4 trillion yuan ($810 billion) of spending on housing, roads, railways and airports.
Iron ore, a raw material used in steelmakers' furnaces, has risen 24% since October 31, when it reached the lowest in three years, according to data compiled by industry publication Metal Bulletin. Steel has dropped for five consecutive months, according to Steel Business Briefing.
Source: Bloomberg/Sydney Morning Herald
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