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Iron ore rallys due to concern over Simandou supply and restocking of demand

Iron ore futures rose for the sixth consecutive session on Tuesday. This was due to growing concerns about the supply prospects of the massive Simandou project, in Guinea, and the expectation that demand will improve in the top consumer China.

As of 0330 GMT, the most traded January iron ore contract at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange rose 2.53% to $809.57 ($113.57), a metric tonne. It reached its highest level since the 25th of July at 814 Yuan during the session.

As of 0320 GMT, the benchmark October iron ore price on Singapore Exchange was 1.59 % higher at $107.1 per ton. The contract reached its highest level at $107.65 on February 25, earlier.

Financial Review, Australia's Sunday newspaper, reported that Rio Tito may be forced to build refineries for Simandou ore.

Simandou's iron ore project will have a production capacity of 120 millions metric tons and the first shipment is expected in November. This will put pressure on ore price in coming years.

Analysts and traders said that the government's intention to process ore in Guinea may result in a reduction of the amount of ore exported, which would support prices.

Analysts at Shengda Futures stated that the market also pays attention to the speed of the production resume during the peak season, and the subsequent restocking requirements for raw materials.

Steel mills have slowly resumed production after a three-day suspension of production to allow for a military display in Beijing to mark the end World War II on September 3.

Analysts at Jinrui Futures predicted that hot metal production would increase to a high level in the coming week, which will support ore demand.

Analysts at Shengda said that shrinking margins and accumulated stocks of steel may reduce mills' buying appetite.

Coking coal, coke and other steelmaking components rose by 0.35% and 0.433% respectively.

The benchmarks for steel on the Shanghai Futures Exchange have advanced. The Shanghai Futures Exchange saw a rise in steel benchmarks. ($1 = 7,1231 Chinese Yuan) (Reporting and editing by Amy Lv, Lewis Jackson)

(source: Reuters)