China's steel sector registered output expansion in the first 10 months of this year, industrial data showed.

US coking coal prices strengthened further early last week, buoyed by supply tightness across segments and strong demand from Chinese mills for low-volatile coals stretching into March next year.

"Not a good sign, but at least the worst is over and we're heading for a recovery."

Australia's Queensland government expects coal exports from the state to drop by 8pc.

Ningxia and Gansu have issued electricity price adjustment policies, and the impact is not very clear at present.

The 2101 ferrosilicon contract price on ZCE closed at 6268 yuan per ton on December 3.

The No.4 furnace at Gary has a rated annual capacity of 1.36 million st/year, according to data from the Association for Iron and Steel Technology.

The steelmaker has informed some customers that some orders for January production would have to be delayed until February.