As for Brazil, Vale's iron ore shipment to global destinations swelled for the second week by another 15,000 tonnes on week to 4.4 million tonnes.

Canadian and Australian mines are big on wanting hydrogen ventilation in underground mining operations, and Canada will likely lead in the use of hydrogen underground.

Aim-listed Zanaga Iron Ore Company’s (Zioc’s) recosting exercise on a 12-million-ton-a-year staged development iron-ore project in Congo-Brazzaville is being completed and is expected to be concluded around the middle of April.

As tensions between China and Australia intensify, Australian iron ore has been delayed, indicating that China's steel industry still has strong demand for it.

Australia's Sundance Resources said on Thursday it had referred its dispute with Congo Republic over the Nabeba iron ore project to arbitration in London, where it is seeking $8.76-billion in damages.

Rio Tinto has reduced emissions by almost 40 percent over the past decade and is aiming for zero net carbon emissions by 2050.

By 2050, China's urbanization rate will reach 80 percent and the country will pivot into a high-income society.

Australia-based mining services provider Mineral Resources has produced first iron ore from its Wonmunna mine in the Pilbara region, Western Australia.