China's state iron ore buyer offers BHP cargoes for sale amid ban fears

Core Insights - BHP iron ore sales in China resumed, with a 170,000-metric-ton cargo sold to a local trader, alleviating fears of a ban on Australian iron ore exports by China [1][3] - China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG) offered eight cargoes of BHP iron ore totaling 1.14 million tons to steelmakers, indicating ongoing demand despite previous purchasing halts [2][4] - Concerns about a potential ban on BHP's Jimblebar fines product persist, as trade in this specific grade remains frozen [5][6] Group 1 - BHP sold a cargo of 170,000 metric tons to a Chinese trader, marking the first trading day after China's national holiday [1] - CMRG's offer of 1.14 million tons of BHP iron ore to steelmakers suggests a strategic move to centralize purchasing and negotiate better terms [2] - Previous reports indicated that CMRG advised steelmakers to pause purchases of BHP's Jimblebar fines, raising concerns in Australia about a potential ban [3] Group 2 - Trade in BHP's Jimblebar fines remains frozen, with no cargoes sold or offered on the recent trading day [5] - CMRG's negotiations with BHP are part of broader commercial discussions, as indicated by BHP's CEO [6] - The limited production of Jimblebar fines (approximately 40 million tons annually) is not expected to significantly impact iron ore prices [6]