Rio Tinto(US:RIO) Dong Hai Qi Huo·2025-09-19 06:17Group 1: Report Industry Investment Rating - The report suggests a mid - term short - allocation strategy for iron ore [4][49] Group 2: Core Viewpoints of the Report - The iron ore supply - demand pattern will gradually change with the commissioning of Simandou Iron Ore at the end of the year. The probability of the spot price exceeding $110 in the medium term is low, so it is recommended to short - allocate iron ore. Also, pay attention to the strength conversion between black - sector varieties [4][49] - The commissioning of Simandou Iron Ore will increase the supply of iron ore. Mainstream and non - mainstream mines will expand production to seize market share. At the same time, iron ore demand at home and abroad is difficult to improve significantly [4][49] Group 3: Summary According to the Directory 1. Simandou Iron Ore Commissioning Process - It is planned to ship the first batch of iron ore from Simandou in November 2025, with a volume between 50 - 100 million tons, and export through the WCS port before the completion of the SimFer port. The SimFer mine and infrastructure are progressing well. The entire Simandou project's shipping volume in 2025 is expected to be between 250 - 300 million tons [9][10] 2. Impact of Simandou Iron Ore Commissioning on Mine Business Behavior - Before the commissioning of Simandou Iron Ore, the four major mines controlled the production rhythm. After its commissioning, they are likely to adjust their business strategies and expand production. Simandou Iron Ore's cost is similar to overseas non - mainstream mines but lower than domestic mines, which may cause the marginal cost curve of iron ore to shift downward and to the right [14][17][19] 3. Overseas Mine Supply Outlook 3.1 Mainstream Mine Supply Outlook - In 2025, the mainstream mine increment is 14.02 million tons, and after 2026, the increment may exceed 35 million tons. Each major mine has expansion plans, such as Rio Tinto's Western Range project, BHP's production target increase in some mines, and VALE's new project commissioning [20][21][25] 3.2 Non - mainstream Mine Supply Outlook - In addition to Simandou Iron Ore, other non - mainstream mines are also being commissioned. For example, Australia's Onslow Iron Ore may increase production in 2026, and Brazil's CSN plans to expand the Casa de Pedra mine and increase the capacity of the P15 new mining area [26][27] 4. Iron Ore Demand Hard to Increase Significantly 4.1 Domestic Iron Ore Demand Analysis - In the short term, domestic iron ore demand is relatively strong, but there is production - limiting pressure in the fourth quarter, and the focus may be on hot metal. In the medium - to - long term, steel consumption, especially real - estate steel consumption, is difficult to improve significantly, and iron ore demand is likely to continue to decline [31][34] 4.2 Overseas Iron Ore Demand Analysis - From January to July 2025, the pig iron output in other regions except China decreased year - on - year. In the next 2 - 3 years, the new steel - making capacity overseas is mainly electric - arc furnaces, accompanied by green transformation and technological upgrading, so iron ore demand is also difficult to improve significantly [39] 5. Iron Ore Investment Opportunities Analysis in Different Cycles - In the fourth quarter, there is a risk of negative feedback in the black - industry chain, and iron ore may make up for the decline after late October. In the medium term, iron ore may be weaker than other industrial products due to the expansion cycle, and attention can be paid to the strength conversion between black - sector varieties [41][47][49] 6. Summary - The commissioning of Simandou Iron Ore is unlikely to be affected by building a smelter locally. The shipping volume in 2025 is expected to be between 250 - 300 million tons, and supply is expected to recover further after 2026. The supply of mainstream and non - mainstream mines will expand. Domestic and overseas iron ore demand is difficult to improve significantly. The supply - demand pattern will change, and it is recommended to short - allocate iron ore in the medium term and pay attention to the strength conversion between black - sector varieties [46][49]